Siyom River: Siyom Bridge in Arunachal Pradesh | Map & Location UPSC

Siyom River UPSC Siyom Bridge UPSC Arunachal Pradesh UPSC Siyom Bridge River Map LAC Location Siyom Bridge Importance UPSC Facts Steel Arch Bridge Thangu Bridge Basti Bridge developed by DRDO.

China has been doing infrastructure development near LAC (Line of Actual Control) for a long time. To counter his actions, India has also been making efforts to rapidly develop its border infrastructure for a few years, under which many roads, tunnels, bridges, military bases, helipads, and airfields are being built in the border areas.

Arunachal Pradesh is a key state from the perspective of national security. Further, given the ever-increasing Chinese infringement cases, Arunachal Pradesh is on the special agendas of the Indian government, which is why work is going on fast in the surgical important areas of the state.

Around 20 bridges are being built in strategically important areas of Arunachal Pradesh to strengthen the overall military preparedness. Moreover, BRO (Border Road Organisation) has taken up the responsibility of executing these infrastructure projects in a better way.

Siyom River

River	Siyom River
Location	Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Length	Approx. 300 km
Bridge	Siyom Bridge
Tributary of	Brahmaputra River

The Siyom River is a significant river in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh in India. Here are some important facts about the Siyom River:

1. Location and Origin: The Siyom River is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River, and it originates from the eastern Himalayas near the China border in Arunachal Pradesh.
2. Length: The Siyom River is approximately 300 km long, and it flows through the districts of Upper Siang, West Siang, and East Siang in Arunachal Pradesh before joining the Brahmaputra River.
3. Flora and Fauna: The Siyom River basin is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including many endangered species such as the clouded leopard, Asiatic black bear, and elephant. The river is also home to several species of fish, including the golden mahseer, which is a popular game fish.
4. Significance to the Local Community: The Siyom River plays an important role in the lives of the local people, who depend on it for fishing, agriculture, and transportation. The river is also significant from a cultural perspective, as it has been mentioned in ancient Indian texts and was once an important trade route between India and Tibet.
5. Hydroelectric Power Projects: The government of India has proposed several hydroelectric power projects on the Siyom River, which has sparked controversy and opposition from environmental activists and local communities. The projects are expected to have a significant impact on the river’s ecology and the livelihoods of the local people.
6. Tourist Destination: The Siyom River is known for its picturesque and scenic beauty, and attracts many tourists and adventure enthusiasts for activities like trekking, rafting, and fishing. The river’s rapids range from Class II to Class IV, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced rafters.
7. Floods: The Siyom River is prone to flooding during the monsoon season, which can cause significant damage to property and infrastructure. In recent years, the government of Arunachal Pradesh has taken steps to improve flood management and disaster preparedness in the Siyom River basin.

Overview of Siyom Bridge

Last year, the Indian government gave a green signal to build a 1700 km Frontier highway in Arunachal Pradesh. In addition, various road projects are going on in various locations in Arunachal Pradesh. It includes connectivity between Ziro to Itanagar and Twang to Shergaon. Taking this segment, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated the strategically important Steel Arch Bridge (Siyom Bridge) built on the Siyom River in Arunachal Pradesh. In addition, he also inaugurated various bridges and roads via video conferencing that are built in Punjab, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Jammu, Ladakh, and Rajasthan. All these projects will cost around 724 crore rupees. Some are:

1. “Basti Bridge” on Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah Road (55 meter Long).
2. “Thangu Bridge” was constructed on Kalep-Gaigong Road of Sikkim (80 Meter Long). 

Projects of BRO in Arunachal Pradesh

BRO (Border Roads Organization) is working on 4 Projects in Arunachal Pradesh to develop infrastructure in difficult geographical terrains and strategically important areas. These are:

1. Project Arunank
2. Project Vartak
3. Project Brahmank
4. Project Udayak

Also Read: National Green Hydrogen Mission

Siyom Bridge & its Importance

• The Siyom Bridge is located in Arunachal Pradesh and is built on the Siyom River. 
• Siyom River is a tributary of the Brahmaputra which flows through the west Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. 
• Border Road Organisation (BRO) successfully built Bridge under Project Brahmank.
• It is built on Along-Yingkiong Road in Arunachal Pradesh.
• 10-meter-long “Class-70” steel arches are super structured.
• It means the bridge has the capability to bear 70 Tonnes of weight.
• Heavy artillery like T-90, surface-to-air missiles, and other military goods can be easily transported in border areas through this Bridge.
• It will act as a gateway on LAC.
• Apart from military importance, the Siyom Bridge will also provide significant economic and social benefits to other infrastructure projects and local communities.
• Siyom Bridge will enhance transport links and will be easier than ever for locals to access essential services like healthcare and education. 

Conclusion

Apart from this Bridge, the other 28 infrastructure projects are major milestones for India’s border infrastructure. Moreover, these projects will significantly enhance the capability of a military to respond to any possible threat on the border and will prove to be a game changer. Further, credit should be given to BRO for the timely completion of these projects. The Border Roads Organization has completed 102 and 103 infrastructure projects in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

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