First-Ever Brahmaputra Rafting Expedition Completed By NIMAS Team

(MENAFN- IANS) Guwahati, Feb 11 (IANS) A skilled team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) from Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh led by Col Ranveer Singh Jamwal has successfully completed the first-ever attempt to pedal the entire 1040 km stretch of the mighty Brahmaputra River, officials said on Tuesday.

An army official said that the journey began at Gelling village in Arunachal Pradesh, where the river enters India from Tibet, and concluded at Hatsingimari in Assam, near the Bangladesh border.

According to an official statement, this historic journey is a testament to human resilience, teamwork, and a deep commitment to exploring the untamed landscapes of India.

The expedition braved unpredictable terrain, fierce weather, and remote stretches to accomplish what no one had attempted before. This expedition demanded months of strategic preparation, risk assessment, and team coordination.

“Conceiving such a monumental adventure and turning it into a reality was no mean task. It required not just physical readiness but relentless planning and leadership.

Watching this dream unfold into history is a moment of immense pride,” Col RS Jamwal said.

The expedition was executed under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence, by a highly skilled and motivated team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) and took 28 days to complete, with 25 days of intense pedalling and three days for equipment maintenance.

“The team started on 14 January and culminated on 10 February at Hatsingimari. The team consisted of nine rafters and 14 admin and support staff including Capt. Kavitha, Hav. Ganesh Paul, Hav. Pramanik, Hav. Yogesh Patil, Mr. Ramayan Singh, Mr. Vipin Singh, Tosap Rime, Rfn. Sanjeep, Nb Sub Ravi, Hav Rakesh Yadav and 12 more admin and support team members. In the Arunachal leg of the expedition, six local rafters joined us and in the Assam leg, four local rafters joined us in this historic journey,” the official statement added.

The official also said that the journey began from Gelling village on the Siang River (Brahmaputra is called Siang in Arunachal Pradesh) and for four consecutive days, the team faced relentless challenges, including dangerous flips that tested their mettle.

As per the officials, the Assam leg of the expedition started from Poba in Jonai on 22 Jan. This leg witnessed a dramatic transformation of the river, transitioning from its furious rapids through the Arunachal Himalayas to a vast and powerful riverine system.

“Rafters faced formidable challenges like navigating colossal eddies, wrestling with unpredictable currents and constantly adapting to the river's everchanging dynamics. The river's sheer scale constantly presents a unique challenge and demands unwavering vigilance and strategic navigation to maintain the course. This leg tested the team's physical and mental fortitude and offered a profound experience of the Brahmaputra's raw power and majestic beauty,” the statement mentioned.

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