Guwahati: Mebo-Dhola Road (MDR) in Arunachal Pradesh has been breached due to massive and continuous soil erosion due to the flooding of the Siang River. The Mebo-Dhola road acts as the lifeline to the people of Namsing, Gadum, Mer villages under Mebo Sub-Division in East Siang District and Paglam circle under Dambuk Sub-Division in Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh, also including parts of northern Assam villages.
This erosion has led to snapping of road communication all along the route- East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
Chief Engineer, PWD. Er. Markar Bam along with Mebo MLA Lombo Tayeng, Dy. Commissioner Pasighat, Dr. Kinny Singh, ADC Mebo, Bani Lego, SE PWD, Er. Tapi Darang, EE WRD Er. Gonong Pertin, EE PWD, EE Power, DDMO and many other officials visited the breached portion of MDR in between Namsing and Kongkul village.
According to sources, Chief engineer Bam said, around 150 metres stretches of road were washed away and 500 metres more is likely to be eroded. "I had been to this place in an inspection earlier during last year and just some 3-4 days back also I have seen this where course of the river was at least 50-60 metres away from the road, but it was damaged today from this point of 28th KM out of 35 KM of this MDR starting from zero point at Mebo village.
The Public Works Department is said to be making new alignment of the alternative road of around 3 KM aside the eroded Mebo-Dhola road to restoring road communication, which would take some days. For the new temporary alternative road the department will require funds and Chief Engineer Bam opined hope of getting the fund from the government early.
It is also said that a boulder bund of total worth Rs 30 crore under the DoNER ministry funding was erected on the left bank of Siang river at Sigar portion, which was washed away in the first wave of the flash flood.