Itanagar, Jun 16: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday highlighted the transformative changes witnessed in Arunachal Pradesh during the 12 years of governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the State has made remarkable progress in infrastructure, connectivity, education, healthcare, sports, entrepreneurship and governance.
Interacting with the media here, Khandu said the Centre’s sustained support has significantly improved air, road and rail connectivity across the state. He noted that Donyi Polo Airport has emerged as a major gateway to Arunachal Pradesh, while several Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs), including that of Walong, have been revived and maintained.
The Chief Minister informed that Vijaynagar and Mechuka airports are expected to be brought under the UDAN scheme soon, while Itanagar and Tezu are already benefiting from the regional connectivity programme. He also reiterated the Centre’s commitment to extending railway connectivity up to Tawang.
Highlighting achievements in the education and healthcare sectors, Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh established its first medical college after the BJP assumed office in the state in 2017, while another medical college at Namsai is nearing completion under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. A similar institution is also planned in Tawang.
He said healthcare services have been strengthened through schemes such as AB-PMJAY and CMAAY, while the Chief Minister’s Organ Transplant Programme provides assistance of upto Rs 15 lakh for bone marrow, kidney and liver transplants. Assistance of up to Rs 4 lakh is also available under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Khandu said District Hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), medical equipment and healthcare manpower have been substantially upgraded across the state. He also pointed out that Arunachal Pradesh established its own State University in 2022, expanding opportunities for higher education.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the people of Arunachal Pradesh for their contribution to nation-building and highlighted several youth-oriented initiatives. He noted that platforms such as Arunachal Got Talent, Arunachal Idol, Miss Arunachal and Mr Arunachal have provided opportunities for talented youth to gain national exposure. Cultural initiatives such as Rang Mahotsav have also been promoted to encourage theatre and performing arts.
On women’s empowerment, Khandu informed that more than 1.5 lakh women have been linked to Self-Help Groups (SHGs), enabling them to become financially independent and improve their livelihoods.
Highlighting the state’s progress in sports, Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh has emerged as one of the leading sporting states in the Northeast, supported by the development of multipurpose halls, playgrounds and sports infrastructure across the state.
The Chief Minister noted that the National Highway network in Arunachal Pradesh has expanded from about 1,000 km to nearly 4,000 km, marking a growth of around 250 percent. He highlighted the successful implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme and Border Area Development Programme in frontier regions.
He informed that work on the Frontier Highway project is expected to begin soon and said the 1,800-km Arunachal Trans Highway has significantly transformed connectivity and development across the state.
Describing Arunachal Pradesh as the “Powerhouse of India,” Khandu said the state possesses an estimated hydropower potential of nearly 60,000 MW, with projects totalling around 19,000 MW currently under implementation. He said the state aims to harness around 40,000 MW by 2047 under the vision of Viksit Bharat.
He also highlighted the state's mineral wealth and said the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Coal, has initiated auctions of resources such as graphite, coal and petroleum reserves.
On governance reforms, Khandu described “Seva Aapke Dwar” as one of the most successful programmes of the government, benefiting more than 15 lakh citizens. Through “Cabinet Aapke Dwar,” he said, ministers and senior officials regularly visit remote areas to ensure delivery of government services at the grassroots level.
Khandu said he has personally travelled extensively across the state to ensure that development and governance reach even the most remote regions of Arunachal Pradesh.