Pasighat: In what could mark a major turning point for the remote villages of East Siang, MLA of 39th Mebo constituency Oken Tayeng and East Siang Deputy Commissioner Sonalika Jiwani, accompanied by ADC Mebo Nancy Yirang and other officials, recently visited Mer and Gadum villages under Mebo Sub-Division to inspect ongoing oil exploration efforts by Oil India Ltd (OIL). Preliminary findings suggest the presence of significant oil reserves beneath Mer village.
Speaking to residents during the visit, MLA Tayeng and DC Jiwani described the villagers of Mer and Gadum as “fortunate,” noting that Oil India’s surveys have indicated a promising underground hydrocarbon reserve.
They urged the local community and village leaders (Gaon Burahs) to remain united and avoid political disputes, especially concerning land ownership, to ensure smooth progress of exploration and eventual drilling.
“If oil extraction begins here, Mer and Gadum — long neglected — could soon emerge as prosperous hubs, much like Digboi in Assam,” said Tayeng. “Every household stands to benefit, provided we resolve land disputes and allow operations to proceed without hindrance.”
Tayeng also revealed that he and Chief Minister Pema Khandu had met with Oil India officials in Itanagar on March 14 to discuss the project’s future. Oil India has already erected markers in potential drilling zones within Mer.
However, progress is being held back by poor connectivity. Arunav Baruah, Chief General Manager (Frontier Exploration) at Oil India, confirmed that exploration is still in its initial phase and is currently guided by seismic data.
“There are strong indications of hydrocarbon presence, but without road and bridge infrastructure, we cannot proceed with drilling,” Baruah said. He added that Oil India is pushing the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) to sanction funds for the urgent construction of a bridge over the Taro-Tamak River and an access road to Mer and Gadum.
Baruah expressed hope that construction would begin by November, paving the way for the transport of heavy drilling equipment. “Once this is achieved, Oil India will begin investing in full-scale exploration and drilling in the region.”
Despite the optimism, controversy over land ownership has emerged. Former Mebo MLA Lombo Tayeng has reportedly claimed parts of the exploration site as his private property and applied for a Land Possession Certificate (LPC). In response, villagers have filed a formal complaint with the ADC Mebo office, requesting a halt to LPC issuance until all boundary disputes are resolved.
Still, news of the potential oil reserves has sparked hope among the isolated residents of Mer and Gadum. The area remains cut off from the rest of East Siang district due to a lack of all-weather roads and bridges, with villagers relying on ferry boats to reach markets, the sub-divisional headquarters at Mebo, and the district headquarters in Pasighat — a journey made especially difficult during the monsoons.
The villages are surrounded by rivers — Taro-Tamak in the northwest, Siang in the west and south, and the Sikang/Dibang to the northeast — making infrastructure development a prerequisite for any serious oil operation. Nearby areas in Lower Dibang Valley, such as Paglam, Kaling, Tini-Ali, and Loklung, and even border villages of Assam like Masgao and Migmang, could also benefit from related development.
While the villagers await long-overdue progress, Oil India officials pointed out that successful drilling in Mer could not only bring prosperity to the region but also reduce India’s dependence on oil imports.
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