A RIVER RUSHES THROUGH IT

Discovering Arunachal from the vantage of a raft opens up new vistas. AMIT DIXIT participated in the latest Siang Rush, an annual—and exclusive showcase—of the state’s tourist attractions

IS IT A SEA?

Is it an ocean? It’s…the Brahmaputra. If the coruscating waters of this mighty river are a sight to behold, then the new Bogibeel Bridge straddling it near Dibrugarh nearly steals the sheen. The Brahmaputra fills you with awe and trepidation in equal measure. India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge, which runs for nearly five kilometres over the river, is an engineering marvel and a thing of manmade beauty. More importantly, it has cut down travel time between Assam and eastern Arunachal drastically, making a truly untouched part of India more accessible.

The drive to Pasighat was pleasant, past small—but not sleepy—villages and proud homesteads fronted by neat gardens. The hill town was established by the British in 1911 as an administrative outpost to better govern the greater Abor Hills and the northern territories. Someday soon it will be developed as a Smart City.

The first thing you notice about Arunachal Pradesh is how few people there are. This massive state, with a land area of nearly 84,000 sq km, has the second-lowest population density among Indian states (the least populous is Ladakh). The second is a noticeable change in the foliage, which, unlike the population, is impressively dense.