Union sports and youth affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said that a temporary bridge over the Ego River in Lepa Rada district would be built in the next 8-10 days, so as to restore surface communication in the region.

Rijiju, who took to social media to share the information said he has following with the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHDCL) for the restoration of Ego Bridge and clearing of all the landslides on the Likabali-Basar-Bam road.

“Once again I followed up with officials of NHDCL for restoration of Ego Bridge and clearing of all the landslides on Likabali-Basar-Bam road. The works in landslides zones are under progress and I’ve asked for early clearance of landslides,” he said.

The union minister who also represents the Arunachal West seat in the Lok Sabha further informed that the procurement of material required for making urgent temporary bridge to make the road operative has been made and it’s being transported to the bridge site from Guwahati.

“I have been assured that the temporary bridge will be in place within 8 to 10 days,” he said.

The vital Ego Bridge that connected Lepa Rada with several other districts of the state was completely damaged by landslides and flash floods that hit the Ego Valley and its surrounding areas last week.

Besides causing massive damages to important structure and properties, a flash flood triggered by heavy rainfall had also killed two people in the Eco Camp area on September 17 last.

Meanwhile, in regards to the water logging issue in the Bage Tinali area of Nirjuli near here, the union minister said the repair work is under process.

“I have been informed that the blockage of culvert due to unauthorised encroachment has been resolved and the repair work on the road is under process,” he said.

Damien Lepcha is Northeast Now Correspondent in Arunachal Pradesh. He can be reached at: [email protected]