AR-BRIDGE-KHANDU

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister

Pema Khandu on Wednesday inaugurated a single-lane steel cable

suspension bridge in Upper Siang district, likely to benefit

more than 20,000 people on both sides of Siang river, an

official release said.

The 300-metre-long Byorung Bridge will also "bolster

defense preparedness" in the state, it said.

"The CM has dedicated country's longest single-lane

steel cable suspension bridge over Siang River at Yingkiong in

Arunachal's Upper Siang district," the release issued by chief

minister's office said.

The bridge, built at the cost of Rs 48.43 crore under

non-lapsable central pool of resources (NLCPR) of Ministry of

Development of North Eastern Region, will reduce distance

between Yingkiong and Tuting by almost 40 km, it said.

Speaking at a public function, Khandu said the newly

inaugurated bridge would help movement of people residing on

both sides of the river bank and facilitate the army in their

operations.

"Good connectivity is the way forward to prosperity,"

the release said quoting the CM.

The Centre has sanctioned 268 road projects in

Arunachal Pradesh worth Rs 3,800 crore under Pradhan Mantri

Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), it stated.

Two sanctioned projects - 35-km road from Paling to

Zido and 30-km road connecting Zido with Bishing - are

currently in the process of receiving tenders.

The chief minister also laid the foundation for

construction of district secretariat building, assured funds

for the construction of a new circuit house at Yingkiong and

anti-erosion measures in other parts of the state.