Vijaynagar, Arunachal Pradesh
Vijoynagar is a remote town and circle headquarter in the Changlang district of south Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. It is located in the easternmost inhabited area of the country, bordered by Myanmar on three sides and the Namdapha National Park on the other.
History
This area was part of North-East Frontier Agency. In a 1961–1962 expedition led by the Assam Rifles, Maj. Gen A.S Gauraya found an unexplored serene landscape of Indian territory between the three-sided border of Burma and named the region Vijaynagar after Gauraya's son "Vijay". After the settlement process was initiated by the North East Frontier Agency, two hundred Gurkha families of Assam Rifles soldiers settled there.Geography
Vijoynagar is from the nearest navigable road in India located at Miao by foot. It is bordered to the south and east by Myanmar, and to the north by a thick forest of the Namdapha National Park. Nearby Indian cities are Miao, Hayuliang, and Tezu. Putao is the nearest city in Myanmar.Noa Dihing River, also locally known as the Nam Dhing and Dihing River, which originates near Chaukan Pass and flows westward into Assam in India as a tributary of the Brahmaputra River. Vijaynagar and the valleys and passes around it lie in the basin of this river.
Patkai Bum range surrounds the Noa Dihing River valley and Vijaynagar from 3 sides and all the passes around Vijaynagar lie in this subrange. Patkai Bum range is a sub-range of the Patkai hills in southeastern Arunachal Pradesh. This mountain chain forms part of the natural boundary between India and Myanmar. The range is known for its forested ridges, rugged terrain, and conical peaks, and plays a vital role in regional ecology and hydrology. The Patkai range is historically significant as part of ancient trade and migration routes between Northeast India and Upper Burma. Forming part of the larger Purvanchal Range, the Patkai Hills are characterized by steep slopes, conical peaks, and deep valleys. The range is densely forested and supports a rich biodiversity, including rare species such as the Hoolock gibbon and various hornbill species. The Patkai Hills are not as rugged as the Himalayas, with peaks generally lower in elevation. One of the significant passes in this range is the Pangsau Pass, which historically served as a strategic route during World War II. The Patkai Bum Range plays a crucial role in the climatic and ecological dynamics of the northeastern region of India.
Following passes, around Vijaynagar valley, lie in this subrange:
Gphuka Pass lies roughly 14 km northwest of Vijaynagar in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It provides a route between India and Myanmar through the Patkai hills, marked by Border Pillar No. 182. The Nam Dihing River flows nearby in India, and the area beyond the pass falls into the basin of the Chindwin River in Myanmar. The nearest peak is Shawngshan Bum.
Hpungan Pass is situated north of Vijaynagar in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, and is part of the border trail system in the eastern Patkai range. It is marked by Border Pillar No. 185. The Indian side is drained by the Nam Dihing River, and the Myanmar side by tributaries of the Chindwin River. The nearest notable peak is Phongan Razi.
Mugaphi Pass is located approximately 24 km east of Vijaynagar in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is one of the highest passes in the region and part of the cross-border route into Myanmar. Border Pillar No. 184 is nearby. The Nam Dihing River lies on the Indian side, while the Myanmar side leads into the Chindwin River system. The closest peak is Phongan Razi.
Chaukan Pass, approximately 25 km southeast of Vijaynagar in Arunachal Pradesh, is a significant saddle on the India–Myanmar border between two peaks Chaukan Bum in north and Chawngshan Bum in south all of which lie on junction of Patkai and Kumon mountain ranges. Marked by the Border Pillar No. 183, established in 1971, and is surrounded by dense tropical forests and rugged terrain. The pass historically served as a route toward Putao, the nearest settlement in Myanmar located approximately 60 km to the northeast accessible via challenging trails through the Hukawng Valley, in Myanmar's Kachin State. The Noa Dihing River flows westward into Assam in India. On the Myanmar side, the pass descends into the basin of the Namyang River, which eventually joins the Chindwin River.
Administration
Today, Vijoynagar Headquarters and the Vijoyanagar Sub-Division consist of a cluster of 14 villages on the border with Myanmar: Ramnagar, Chididi, Majgoan, Two-hut, Budhamandir, Phaparbari, Daragoan, Gehrigaon, Topi-Hill, Preeti Nagar, Hazolo, Sidikuh, Twohut and Dawadi. This border town is also known as Daudi in the local language of the Lisu people who reside there.People
The area comprises sixteen villages with a population of approximately 4,500 people, including a significant number of families of retired Assam Rifles Gurkha personnel and members of the indigenous Lisu people who speak a tonal Lisu language part of Tibeto-Burman language family. According to the 2011 census, Vijoynagar has a population of 4,438.Education
Educational infrastructure includes several primary schools and a government-run secondary school offering education up to the tenth standard.Tourism
Vijaynagar, with progressively improving connectivity, is emerging as a destination for eco and rural tourism in Arunachal Pradesh. The region is surrounded by the forests of the Namdapha National Park and bordered by Myanmar on three sides. The Arunachal Pradesh government has recognised its potential, with initiatives aimed at enhancing connectivity and promoting sustainable tourism. Local communities, particularly in villages like Hazolo, are participating in tourism development. These villages, inhabited by the Yobin/Lisu tribe, are known for their artisans and craftsmen who produce high-quality handmade products. Tourism awareness programmes have been organised to educate villagers on hospitality, conservation, and the preservation of their cultural heritage. Such initiatives aim to transform Vijaynagar into a tourist destination, fostering economic growth while preserving its cultural and natural assets.Tourist attractions include the following:
- Mandatory Permits Required: The region's isolation and proximity to the Myanmar border necessitate permits: an Inner Line Permit for Indian tourists and a Protected Area Permit for foreign tourists.
- Trekking in Vijoynagar
- Namdapha National Park
- Gandhigram and Vijaynagar Inspection Bungalows
- Vijaynagar Advanced Landing Ground
- Miao Museum
- '''Miao Mini Zoo'''
Transportation
- Air
- * Helicopter: Helicopter services from Mohanbari Airport in Dibrugarh in Assam or Miao in Arunachal Pradesh is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, subject to availability.
- * Vijoynagar Airport, also called the Vijaynagar Advanced Landing Ground, is a military airport and not yet open for the civilian traffic as of 2025. This is the 8th Advanced Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh which was upgraded by the Indian Airforce and Indian Army in September 2019 to allow the landing of fighter jets and large transport planes. There are demands to bring this under UDAN regional connectivity for the scheduled commercial civilian flights.
- Railway
- * Margherita railway station in Assam is the nearest existing station, approximately 220 km east of Vijoynagar, and 65 km from Miao.
- Road
- * Arunachal Pradesh Frontier Highway has Vijoynagar as its western terminus point. It is a road following the McMahon Line from Mago and Thingbu to Vijoynagar. A map of the proposed route can be seen and . Before being upgraded to the AFPH, the Vijoynagar-Miao road, costing ₹225 crores, construction was completed in 2019.remo
- * There are plans to extend this APFH to Putao Airport in Myanmar under the Look East policy, thus connecting it to both India's and Myanmar's national highway networks.
- * Local mettled link roads to villages around Vijaynagar were built and upgraded in 2019.