76 after Independence, Arunachal's Tali finally gets road connectivity

Located in the Kra Daadi district of Arunachal Pradesh, Tali has finally got road connectivity after more than six decades since its establishment in 1957. Despite being the administrative headquarters, Tali remained unconnected by road until now. This makes Tali the last administrative center and the only Assembly constituency in the state which was earlier without road connectivity.

However, with this new development, the people of Tali can now enjoy better connectivity and access to basic services. On Saturday, Chief Minister Pema Khandu became the first Chief Minister to travel to Tali in Kra Daadi district by road. During his previous visit to the area in 2017, Chief Minister Khandu had promised the people that his next visit would be by road. This promise was fulfilled on the auspicious occasion of Nyokum when Khandu became the first Chief Minister to reach Tali by road.

“I am proud to be a part of this historic and momentous event where we finally witness the Tali ADC headquarters connected by road. We have been working on a mission mode to complete the approximately 51km Yangte-Tali road as soon as possible,” Khandu said while attending the 45th Nyokum Yullo celebrations on Sunday. This achievement is a significant step forward in improving connectivity and infrastructure in the region, which will benefit the people of Tali and surrounding areas.

Early in the morning, Chief Minister Khandu inspected the under-construction road from Tali to Pip Sorang, the ring headquarters of the Tali ADC administrative center. He assured that the roughly 50 km Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) road would be completed by the end of this year. Khandu announced, "When you all celebrate the 46th Nyokum Yullo in Tali, Pip Sorang will be attached." He reiterated his appeal to the people not to expect or demand land compensation for road construction. He explained that overall development is driven by road connectivity and if people provide land for free, the government is bound to build roads whenever needed. Khandu expressed concern over the delay in completing the Tamen to Tali road, which began in the late 1960s. However, he assured the people that his government would complete this journey as well.

The Chief Minister also acknowledged that the stretch from Kumey Bridge to Yangte-Tali Road needs attention. He directed the officials concerned to complete this stretch as soon as possible and modify the route whenever necessary to make it less treacherous for driving. CM Khandu also acknowledged that the stretch of road from the Joram-Koloriang Expressway to Yangte is unfit for normal travel. He assured that the 15 km stretch would be rehabilitated immediately, indicating the government's commitment to improve road infrastructure in the region. Further, Khandu urged the people of Tali who had migrated to other towns like Ziro and Itanagar to settle in their own villages. He cited the example of local MLA Jikke Tako who built his residence in Tali despite settling in Itanagar.

Khandu also appealed to the people of Tali to stay connected to their roots and encouraged them to have their homes and hearths in the area even if they are settled elsewhere. During his visit to Khandu, he dedicated the reconstructed steel arch bridge over the Kumey River to the people. The bridge collapsed due to falling rock, disrupting road connectivity to Tali for at least a year. The reconstruction of the bridge will significantly improve connectivity in the region.

Khanda was accompanied by Home Minister Bamang Felix, Legislator Namsai Chow Zignu Namchoom, Legislator Palin Balo Raja and other officials who highlighted the government's commitment to improving infrastructure and promoting development in the region.