By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Better roads and stronger flood-protection measures are needed in Chakma and Hajong settlement areas of Changlang district, according to recommendations submitted by the Arunachal Pradesh State Human Rights Commission (APSHRC) to the state government.
The recommendations followed a two-day inspection of settlements in the Diyun and Bordumsa circles carried out on June 12 and 13.
During the visit, the Commission identified transport difficulties and repeated flooding from the Dihing River as major issues affecting residents and local development.
APSHRC noted that poor connectivity continues to slow economic activity in an area that has emerged as an important commercial hub.
It pointed to the condition of the road linking Namsai and Diyun, where a journey of around 33 kilometres takes more than an hour, creating obstacles for businesses, commuters and the movement of goods.
The Commission said road upgrades could provide benefits beyond economic growth. It observed that the presence of the 2nd Arunachal Pradesh India Reserve Battalion headquarters in Diyun makes reliable transport links important for emergency deployment and security operations.
The report also noted the region’s areca nut trade, which local estimates place at around Rs 50 crore annually in Diyun Circle alone.
APSHRC said improved infrastructure could help expand business opportunities and support local livelihoods.
Another issue raised by the Commission was the repeated flooding and erosion caused by the Dihing River. It said the damage caused to agricultural land and crops has affected residents for years and contributed to displacement in settlement areas.
According to APSHRC, long-term flood-management projects could help reduce pressure arising from such displacement while also addressing concerns frequently raised by indigenous communities over demographic changes in the region.
The Commission proposed accelerating work on the Namsai-Diyun and Diyun-Miao road corridors, extending PMGSY road coverage in settlement areas and examining the possibility of including these routes in the proposed East-West Industrial Corridor for double-lane development.
It also suggested seeking assistance from the North Eastern Council and the Central Government for flood-protection projects aimed at reducing damage to homes, farmland and public infrastructure in vulnerable locations.
According to the Commission, efforts to improve living conditions in settlement areas should proceed alongside measures aimed at addressing concerns raised by indigenous groups regarding demographic change.