Deputy CM Chowna Mein flags off Trans Arunachal Drive from Pangsau Pass on India-Myanmar Border

PANGSAU PASS (Arunachal Pradesh): The 12-day epic 2000 km Trans Arunachal Drive was flagged off by the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein, from Pangsau Pass on the crest of the Patkai Hills on the India-Myanmar Border on Wednesday.

The motor convoy involving over 30 Mahindra sports utility vehicles – XUV 700, THAR, and Scorpios weaved through Arunachal Pradesh’s numerous scenic wonders, to halt at historical/cultural sites allowing participating motorists to experience the state’s stupendous ecological, geographical and cultural diversity as well as its strides towards modernity.

This unique and once-in-a-lifetime trip will conclude in Zeminthang-Tawang on May 15.

“With more free movement and open borders, the Trans Arunachal Drive will be much bigger in the future, with visitors from different states and countries. It will be a massive festival where hands will be held across borders – state borders and international borders,” Chowna Mein said on the occasion.

Also present were the Arunachal Pradesh speaker, Pasang Dorjee Sona, the Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Secretary Ms Sadhana Deori, the Director of Tourism, Abu Tayeng; Brigadier Swarn Singh, VSM, Commander 25 Sector Assam Rifles, and the adviser to the Minister of Tourism, Laisam Simai.

Senior officials from Mahindra Adventure, Kogo Navigations and members of the media and other guests were in attendance as well to see off the convoy that will traverse over 12 days through some truly spectacular parts of this uniquely bio-diverse north-eastern state.

Situated 3,727 feet (1,136 m) above sea level, Pangsau Pass, the site of the flag-off, offers one of the easiest routes into Myanmar from the Assam plains and is the site of the historical “Stilwell Road”. It also lies close to India’s undisputed easternmost point “Chaukan Pass”.

Describing the historical significance of the Pass during the Second World War,  Laisam Simai, Advisor to the Minister of Tourism, expressed the hope that with concerted efforts, Pangsau would become a popular tourist destination.

Ms Sadhna Deori, Secretary, Department of Tourism also expressed the hope that  Pangsau Pass would become a permanent destination for tourism in Arunachal Pradesh.

Organized under the auspices of the Department of Tourism as part of the  “DEKHO APNA DESH, DEKHO APNA PRADESH” programme, this second edition of the drive will introduce participants from all over India to not just Arunachal Pradesh’s vast cultural and geographical diversity, but to also its impressive infrastructural developments.

“At Arunachal, you will see diversity. Diversity does not only mean cultural diversity, it also means biodiversity, climate, and landscapes, Speaker Pasang Sona said at the event.

The first TRANS ARUNACHAL DRIVE in 2021 traversed 2500 km from Namsai in the East to Tawang in the West and led to a spurt in road trips along the Trans Arunachal Highway.

“This is the second edition (of the Trans Arunachal Drive) and I am overwhelmed by the support from our state government and participants. I cannot think of a better way than a drive through our state,” Lhakpa Tsering, one of the main organisers of the event, said, while expressing the hope that participants would have a “very holistic experience” of Arunachal Pradesh given that every detail of the drive has been carefully planned.

“This will be an annual event and we hope to be able to do it at a greater scale and with as much passion each year,” Lhakpa Tsering said.

“We fell in love with Arunachal Pradesh after the first edition and we will continue to support the state in any way we can,” Ryan Lee, Manager, Mahindra Adventure Initiatives said.

Hoihnu Hauzel, Founder, Northeast Odyssey (www.northeastodyssey.com) said that the participants including media persons, blloggers, Youtubers, motor-driving and off-roading enthusiasts from across the country are trying their hands on the Mahindra SUVs, and also enriching their experience and knowledge about the alluring, cultural significance and serene untapped beauty and tourism potential of Arunachal Pradesh, the land of the rising sun.

The halts of motorcade drive include Rima Village, home of   Kathina Civara Dana cum Achariya Kanto Poi Festival celebrated by the Buddhist Community of Changlang District at Ashoka Vihara;  Bomjir along the mighty river Dibang and Kambu, one of the oldest villages under 27 Liromoba Assembly ST Constituency, now being developed by the government as a model village, the picturesque hamlet of Mechuka in West Siang District, just 29 km from Indo-Tibet border and Arunachal’s oldest town, Pasighat, land of the mighty Siang and indigenous hanging bridges. Pasighat is also part of the Smart Cities Mission development scheme and an Advance Landing Ground of Indian Air Force.

From Pasighat the group will move to Pakke Kesang, on to Dirang along the Kameng river banks and on May 11 will finally reach glorious Tawang, site of the Gudpi and Chong-Chugmi ranges, Tawang Chu River, and numerous glacial lakes.