Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Friday inaugurated a series of major road and bridge projects in Lohit district under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III), underlining rural connectivity as the foundation for the state's long-term economic transformation.
The projects,launched in Wakro circle,include the 193.05-metre Kamphai Bridge on the Kahre-Tillai road,now the longest bridge constructed under PMGSY in Arunachal Pradesh.
Mein inaugurated the projects along with Women and Child Development and Science & Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul, Tezu MLA and Advisor Dr Mohesh Chai, alongside district officials and local representatives.
Built using Cement Treated Base (CTB) technology, the Kamphai Bridge is expected to significantly improve connectivity for villages in the Kathan Belt, including Tillai, Kamban, Tumba and Kathan, while cutting travel time to Wakro and strengthening regional access.
The Deputy Chief Minister also inaugurated the NH-15 to Samblu road with a bridge over Phal Nallah,aimed at ensuring year-round access to areas that were frequently cut off during the monsoon season.
Another key project,the Medo-Namgo road along with a bridge over Namgo Nallah, is expected to improve inter-district movement and help farmers and tea growers transport produce more efficiently to market centres. Additional bridges and road stretches over Phai Nallah and Khraipong Nallah were also dedicated to the public.
Addressing the gathering, Mein said rural roads are no longer just about transport, but about reshaping opportunity across Arunachal Pradesh.
"Rural connectivity is the backbone of economic transformation. PMGSY has fundamentally changed access, mobility and opportunity across remote parts of our state," he said.
Reflecting on Arunachal's infrastructure journey, Mein said the state has moved from limited road-building capacity to an era marked by stronger engineering standards, stricter monitoring and modern quality control systems.
"Today, every PMGSY road undergoes multiple quality checks. Our focus is not just on building roads, but on ensuring they are durable, resilient and future-ready," he said.
He acknowledged the continuing challenges posed by difficult terrain, heavy rainfall and rising vehicular pressure, stressing that infrastructure must be designed for long-term sustainability.
"Connectivity must not only reach the last village, but it must also sustain the needs of the future," he said.
Mein said better roads are already beginning to influence larger social and economic trends, including reverse migration, agricultural growth and local enterprise expansion.
"I want our people to use this connectivity to strengthen small industries, improve value addition and create tourism-based livelihoods.With our natural resources, strategic location and improving infrastructure, Arunachal Pradesh is positioned to become a major growth engine in the Northeast," he said.
He also called on implementing agencies,officials and local communities to work together to maintain quality and ensure that development benefits reach every part of the state.
Technical Advisor K C Dhimole,Lohit Deputy Commissioner K N Damo, Superintending Engineer (RWD) T Kena, panchayat leaders and government officials were present during the inauguration programme.