Dibrugarh: In a striking blend of engineering ingenuity and community spirit, the Army has transformed a forgotten relic into a symbol of opportunity. On Thursday, the Border Brew Cafe — the first of its kind in northeast — was inaugurated at Zemithang in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district.What makes the cafe remarkable is its foundation: it stands atop a decommissioned Bailey bridge spanning the scenic Nyamjang Chu river. Developed by the Army’s Gajraj Corps under Operation Sadbhavna, the project was completed in just 31 days, turning a redundant steel structure into a vibrant hub for sustainable tourism and local empowerment.Operated by Monpa women, the initiative provides direct livelihood opportunities to the border community while showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage. Designed with a vistadome-like aesthetic, the cafe offers panoramic views of the Himalayan landscape and the rushing Nyamjang Chu below. By fusing “heritage infrastructure with modern utility,” it is expected to become a landmark destination for travellers exploring Arunachal’s remote frontiers.The inauguration drew praise from both military and civilian leaders. Lumla MLA Tsering Lhamu hailed the project as a milestone for local development, calling it “a symbol of opportunity, a boost to border tourism, and a step towards sustainable growth”.Lt Gen RC Tiwari, GOC-in-chief of the Eastern Command, lauded the troops’ dedication, noting that the project embodies the ethos of Operation Sadbhavna — promoting goodwill and contributing to the socio-economic upliftment of border communities.
