Pasighat

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title: "Pasighat" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["pasighat", "east-siang-district", "cities-and-towns-in-east-siang-district"] topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasighat" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
name	Pasighat
settlement_type	Town
image_skyline	Pasighat Town - May2019.jpg
image_caption	A view of Pasighat from Hotel Siang
pushpin_map	India Arunachal Pradesh#India3
pushpin_label_position	left
pushpin_map_caption	Location in Arunachal Pradesh, India
coordinates
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	India
subdivision_type1	State
subdivision_name1	Arunachal Pradesh
subdivision_type2	District
subdivision_name2	East Siang
established_title
established_date	1911
government_type	Municipal Council
governing_body	Pasighat Municipal Council
leader_title1	Chairman
leader_name1	Tagom Padung (PPA)
leader_title2	Deputy Chairman
leader_name2	Kamin Lego (PPA)
leader_title3	Lok Sabha MP
leader_name3	Tapir Gao (BJP)
leader_title4	MLAs
leader_name4	Ninong Ering (BJP) (Pasighat West)
Tapi Darang (PPA) (Pasighat East)
leader_title5	Deputy Commissioner
leader_name5	Sonalika Jiwani, IAS
unit_pref	Metric
area_total_km2	14.60
elevation_m	152
population_total	24,656
population_as_of	2011
population_density_km2	1504.9
population_footnotes
demographics_type1	Languages
demographics1_title1	Official
demographics1_info1
timezone1	IST
utc_offset1	+5:30
postal_code_type	PIN
postal_code	791102
area_code_type	Telephone code
area_code	0368
registration_plate	AR-09
blank_name	Climate
blank_info	Cwa
website
iso_code	IN-AR
::

Pasighat is the headquarters of East Siang district in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Situated at the eastern foothills of the Himalayas at 155 metre above mean sea level, Pasighat is Arunachal's oldest town. The Government of India included Pasighat in the Smart Cities Mission development scheme in June 2017.

It hosts an Advance Landing Ground (ALG) of Indian Air Force.

History

Pasighat was founded in 1911 by the British Raj as a gateway to administrative convenience of the greater Abor Hills and the north area in general. Primarily, there were settlements of Adi tribesmen, who are still living in the villages in and around Pasighat.

Cognizance of Pasighat emerged due to the last Anglo-Abor War that was fought in 1912 subsequent to the fourth Anglo-Abor War in 1894. This necessitated the first-ever administrative headquarters being established here with an Assistant Political Officer posted. In the post-independence era, Pasighat is credited with the first Airfield (near Paglek, P. I. Line) established in 1946.

The first Agricultural Institute in Arunachal Pradesh was also established at Pasighat in 1950. Other forms of later infrastructural development include:

General Hospital (established 1954, although some claim it as old as the town itself)
Co-operative society Ltd (1957)
Nurse Training Centre (affiliated to General Hospital)
Jawaharlal Nehru College - the first college in Arunachal Pradesh (established 3 July 1964)
The first All India Radio Station in the state in 1966.
Govt.Polytechnic College, Pasighat.
College of Horticulture and Forestry, CAU. (2001)
Pasighat Airport
Rashtriya Raksha University, Pasighat

Early proponents for moving the state capital from Shillong (the then NEFA), underlined Pasighat's better infrastructure. However, the privilege was lost to the present capital Itanagar in 1974. The only significant development in Pasighat that came after that was the College Of Horticulture and Forestry Central Agriculture University established on 7 March 2001.

Geography

Pasighat is located at . It has an average elevation of 153 m. Pasighat has a typical lowland Northeast India humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cwa) a little too cool to qualify as a tropical monsoon climate (Am).

The unique trough-like features surrounded by high hills on three sides make Pasighat ideal for attracting rain-bearing clouds that come in from the Assam plain. The rain-bearing wind gets obstructed by the hills and brings exceptionally heavy rainfall from June to September when the average monthly rainfall is 796 mm – equivalent to over 1 in per day. Winter is marked by strong, cool, dry northeasterly winds from the Siberian High, which make Pasighat fog-free even in winter. Days during the “cool” season from November to February are generally warm and clear, whilst the “hot” spring season from March to May sees an increasing frequency of heavy thunder downpours and very warm to hot, humid weather with even mornings warm.

The largest river system of the State, "Siang" or "Dihang", the main tributary of Brahmaputra River emerges to the foothills plain after traversing Tibetan Plateau and beyond Siang River Valley at Pasighat. Once it crosses Pasighat town, the river flows southward heading toward the expanse of Assam plains. The river course enters the plains and continues flowing south-west where it converges with the other major left-bank tributaries, viz. Dibang and Lohit near Kobo Ghat riverine island system to form the mighty Brahmaputra River in the plains.

Climate

| location = Pasighat (1991–2020, extremes 1957–present) | metric first = Yes | single line = Yes | Jan record high C = 29.6 | Feb record high C = 34.0 | Mar record high C = 34.0 | Apr record high C = 37.3 | May record high C = 39.6 | Jun record high C = 38.6 | Jul record high C = 39.7 | Aug record high C = 38.5 | Sep record high C = 38.0 | Oct record high C = 36.2 | Nov record high C = 33.0 | Dec record high C = 30.2 |year record high C = | Jan high C = 23.2 | Feb high C = 24.4 | Mar high C = 25.9 | Apr high C = 27.4 | May high C = 29.4 | Jun high C = 30.5 | Jul high C = 30.6 | Aug high C = 31.4 | Sep high C = 30.9 | Oct high C = 29.8 | Nov high C = 27.6 | Dec high C = 24.5 | year high C = 27.6 | Jan low C = 13.0 | Feb low C = 15.0 | Mar low C = 17.4 | Apr low C = 19.6 | May low C = 21.8 | Jun low C = 23.8 | Jul low C = 24.2 | Aug low C = 24.6 | Sep low C = 23.7 | Oct low C = 21.4 | Nov low C = 17.5 | Dec low C = 14.2 | year low C = 19.6 | Jan record low C = 6.5 | Feb record low C = 6.6 | Mar record low C = 10.6 | Apr record low C = 12.5 | May record low C = 11.3 | Jun record low C = 18.9 | Jul record low C = 19.1 | Aug record low C = 20.1 | Sep record low C = 17.4 | Oct record low C = 13.4 | Nov record low C = 8.3 | Dec record low C = 7.2 |year record low C = 6.5 | rain colour = green | Jan rain mm = 42.9 | Feb rain mm = 88.6 | Mar rain mm = 154.0 | Apr rain mm = 266.6 | May rain mm = 411.6 | Jun rain mm = 765.1 | Jul rain mm = 1033.0 | Aug rain mm = 611.7 | Sep rain mm = 564.5 | Oct rain mm = 177.1 | Nov rain mm = 33.1 | Dec rain mm = 16.9 | year rain mm = 4165.1 | Jan rain days = 3.7 | Feb rain days = 6.3 | Mar rain days = 9.9 | Apr rain days = 13.4 | May rain days = 14.4 | Jun rain days = 18.8 | Jul rain days = 20.4 | Aug rain days = 15.1 | Sep rain days = 13.9 | Oct rain days = 7.1 | Nov rain days = 2.1 | Dec rain days = 1.6 |year rain days = 126.7 |time day = 17:30 IST | Jan humidity = 70 | Feb humidity = 68 | Mar humidity = 70 | Apr humidity = 73 | May humidity = 76 | Jun humidity = 82 | Jul humidity = 84 | Aug humidity = 83 | Sep humidity = 83 | Oct humidity = 81 | Nov humidity = 76 | Dec humidity = 73 |year humidity = 76 | source 1 = India Meteorological Department{{cite web | url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf | title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020 | publisher = India Meteorological Department | access-date = April 8, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf | archive-date = 5 February 2020 | url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf | title = Station: Pasighat (A) Climatological Table 1981–2010 | work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010 | publisher = India Meteorological Department | date = January 2015 | pages = 595–596 | access-date = 5 February 2020}} | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf | archive-date = 5 February 2020 | url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf | title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012) | publisher = India Meteorological Department | date = December 2016 | page = M21 | access-date = 5 February 2020}} | url = http://city.imd.gov.in/citywx/extreme/FEB/passighat2.htm | title = Passighat Climatological Table 1971–2000 | publisher = India Meteorological Department | access-date = 5 February 2020}} | date = August 2012}}

Economy

Agriculture is the main occupation of the local people. Rice is the main food crop produced in the area. There are several large tea gardens in the vicinity of the town which attract workers from all over the region. Lumbering was a big sustaining industry till the Supreme Court clamped down on the industry during the 1990s. There is also a bit of tourism in Pasighat, being the oldest town in Arunachal Pradesh. Agriculture, horticulture, and tourism continue to be the main source of economy for the town.

Demography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/VKV_Pasighat.jpg" caption="The Vivekananda Kendriya Vidyalaya school in Pasighat"] ::

As of 2011 India Census, Pasighat had a population of 24,656. Males constitute 50.62% (12,482 males) of the population and females 49.37% (12,174 females). Pasighat has an average literacy rate of 79.6%: male literacy is 85.33%, and female literacy is 73.74%. In Pasighat, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Pasighat is predominantly inhabited by the Adi people.

Languages

Culture

The people of Pasighat celebrate a variety of festivals. Solung, Aran, and Etor are important festivals. Legend has it that the festival regarded as Solung, which is the principal festival of the Adi, came into existence when the Goddess of wealth, Kiine-Naane, had asked them in person to carry out this worship or 'puja'.

Solung is celebrated by the Adis for five days in the month of September. The first day or the Solung Gidi Dogin is the day when they prepare for this event. Doreph Long, the second day is the day of animal slaughters. Binnyat Binam or the third day is the day of prayers. Taktor of Ekoph is the fourth day and on this day arms and ammunition are manufactured. Miri or the fifth day is the day of farewell.

The Adi people are known for their colourful Ponung dance and war dance called Taapu.

Transport connectivity

Rail ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Ranaghat_Bridge_over_River_Siang_(Brahmaputra).jpg" caption="Raneghat Bridge over River Siang (Brahmaputra)"] ::

Pasighat is connected by the NH-515 and have frequent services from Guwahati, Lakhimpur and Itanagar. Waterways crossing the Brahmaputra River from Dibrugarh by ferry to Oryamghat that is situated at a distance of 32 km from Pasighat and can take a bus or taxi. Nearest rail head is at Murkongselek which is terminal station of the Rangia-Murkongselek broad gauge track.

The 227-km Murkongselek-Pasighat-Tezu-Rupai line is being undertaken as a strategic project. The rail head is proposed to be extended up to Pasighat. The BG railway line will link North-Assam area with Pasighat town, the district headquarter of East Siang of Arunachal, located at a rail route distance of 26.5 km. About 24.5 km of the route falls in Arunachal territory. The Rangia - Murkongselek BG conversion (with extension up to Pasighat) project was one of the two major rail projects in Northeast announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during 2010. This broad gauge line is supposed to be proceeding on to Roing, Parsuramkund, Rupai, and other places in the state. A preliminary engineering-traffic survey for the Pasighat-Tezu-Parshuram Kund was conducted by Northeast Frontier Railways at the request of the state government.

Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services (APSTS) is another means of transportation in the district which is linked with other districts and nearby villages. APSTS buses are also run from Pasighat to Itanagar, the capital of the state, from Pasighat to Shillong, Meghalaya via Guwahati on the daily basis. Bus services are available to Guwahati, Assam which are run by private operators. Private-owned Winger and Tata Sumo services also run across the district and run in the other districts. Also, regular flights from Pasighat to Guwahati and Guwahati to Pasighat on selected weekdays have also started since April 2018. Guwahati and Kolkata are connected with Pasighat Airport by Alliance Air.

Tourism

500px|thumb| Siang river meeting the plains Pasighat is the land of the Siang river and indigenous hanging bridges. A waterfall graces the mountain cliffs and chills the vicinity. Attractions in the town include:

The Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, India is one of the most popular wildlife parks of the state. Spread over an area of 190 km2, alluvial grasslands form the major area and wooded areas constitute about 15%. The rest of the area is water. The present land of the sanctuary was mostly donated by the Mebo and Monngu Banngos. It is popularly called Jopong, which was a named given by locals and land owners in memory of Rutum Jotan Pertin during 1790s.
Pangin is about 60 km from Pasighat, and is connected by road. It stands at a point where River Siyom meets River Siang and the blue waters of Siyom meet the green Siang. There are rare plants and herbs which are of medicinal importance. Botanists and Zoologists can have ample scope for study of the rich plant and wildlife resources.
Bodak Scenic Area: The Bodak-Mebo-Jengging Scenic Area is a popular picnic spot for tourists. The scenic area is a large forested area with villages, agricultural lands within, at about 15 kilometres away from the Pasighat main town. The scenic area is along the highway starting from the Siang Bridge and diverges to Mebo village on the right hand side and to Jengging village on the left hand side. The road to Jenning is much more frequented because of the vistas of the Siang river from the road. The area is also home to the Mïdu Lereng stone monolith. Villagers of the area have shown concern about the garbage generated and destruction to the environment from frequent tourist visits and many regular picnic spots are now taxed by NGOs who help maintain the environment.
Kekar Monying: A mountain cliff near Rottung which is an important historical place because it was here that the Adi put up a strong resistance against the British in 1911. The war was a part of a punitive expedition undertaken by the British for murdering Noel Williamson, a political officer in the previous year by Matmur Jamoh, a native of Yagrung village.
Komsing: A village on the left bank of the Siang is the place of Williamson's murder. A stone epitaph bearing the name of Noel Williamson lies near the Siang.
Komlighat used to be a river port at an earlier time. The ghat marks the area of the colonial town of Pasighat which has been submerged into the Siang river following a flood and the river changing its course. The spot is also popular for its street food sold by vendors in the area. The ghat provides a wonderful view of the river and the hills surrounding the Pasighat plains. The distant hills are covered with snow in winters.
Pasighat Buddhist Temple: Located in the opposite side of the air strip from the highway, this small temple serves as the only Buddhist worship place in Pasighat.
East Siang District Museum: Also located in the opposite side of the Pasighat Airport, it is the district museum of the East Siang District.
Adi Baane Kebang Headquarters: Pasighat also houses the headquarters of the Adi Baane Kebang, which acts as the de facto cultural parliament governing the cultural, linguistic, traditional aspects of the Adi people.
Pasighat Airport is a military airstrip, which has been upgraded and is also being used as a civilian airport.
Gomsi: A cultivation area near Rani Village is another place of historical importance. In June 1996, a team of archaeologists conducted a trial excavation and survey in the site. They found evidence of culture of early medieval period (probably Pre-Ahom).[[File:River Siang (Brahmaputra) entering into the plains at Ranaghat, on the east of Roing.jpg|thumb|River Siang (Brahmaputra) entering into the plains at Ranaghat, on the east of Pasighat]]

References

"IMC led by millennials: Likha Nari Tadar named new mayor, Camdir deputy". The Arunachal Times.
"Census of India Search details". censusindia.gov.in.
"1977 Sikkim government gazette". Governor of Sikkim.
(16 July 2014). "50th Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India".
[http://www.newsonair.com/Oldest%20town%20of%20Arunachal%20Pradesh.asp Pasighat: Oldest town of Arunachal Pradesh] {{Webarchive. link. (26 January 2011 . All India Radio.)
(2016-08-19). "ALG at Pasighat inaugurated at Pasighat, Su-30MKI lands". The Times of India.
"East Siang District at a Glance".
"JAWAHARLAL NEHRU COLLEGE".
"Maps, Weather, and Airports for Pasighat, India".
"Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India.
ORGI. "Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India".
"C-16: Population by mother tongue, Arunachal Pradesh - 2011".
[https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-to-construct-strategic-railway-lines-along-border-with-china/story-g6P7JgLiSfK7F5WpVw1VTM.html India to construct strategic railway lines along border with China], Hindustan Times, 30 Nov 2016.
[https://arunachalobserver.org/2019/01/05/2019-target-survey-3-strategic-rail-lines-along-china-border/ 2019 target to survey 3 strategic rail lines along China border], Arunachal Observer, January 5, 2019.
"Solace to suffering humanity would surface from Arunachal, believes Shankaracharya". ANI.
"Pasighat".

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