NEW DELHI, Sep 19: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Keyi Panyor Mission Plan (KPMP) 2040 Initiative have initiated the process of establishing a Centre of Excellence at IIT Delhi to support the long-term development priorities of Keyi Panyor district in Arunachal Pradesh.
A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed and exchanged at IIT Delhi on September 18 between Toko Tatung, MLA from Yachuli Assembly Constituency and Political Champion of KPMP 2040, and Prof Jayant Jain, Dean, Corporate Relations, IIT Delhi.
The LoI provides a framework for jointly identifying the proposed CoE’s thematic priorities, research programmes, governance arrangements and areas of technical cooperation. Its detailed structure and programmes will be developed through further consultations and requisite institutional and government approvals.
The initiative seeks to link KPMP 2040’s community-based planning, indigenous knowledge and development priorities with IIT Delhi’s multidisciplinary expertise in engineering, science, technology, public policy and management.
The signing took place during IIT Delhi’s CSR Conclave 2026, where Tatung attended as chief guest of the PSU Leadership Session on ‘Driving Innovation, Technology and Nation Building’. The session brought together senior representatives of public sector institutions, including DMRC, Konkan Railway Corporation, Grid Controller of India, GAIL, Indian Oil Corporation and NETRA of NTPC.
Addressing the session, Tatung presented KPMP 2040 as a long-term participatory development framework covering 20 thematic areas. He outlined the district’s objective of becoming a ‘Biohappy District’ while improving livelihoods and public services and protecting forests, water sources, biodiversity and indigenous ways of life.
He also highlighted the Comprehensive Action Plan for Education (CAPE) and the role of teachers in the district’s development. Tatung invited PSU leaders to explore CSR, technical and knowledge partnerships with Keyi Panyor.
During his visit, Tatung presented a video walkthrough of the proposed Mini Secretariat for Keyi Panyor, whose design draws inspiration from the traditional long houses of the Nyishi community. The design has been conceived by scenographer Padma Bhushan Rajeev Sethi and approved by the State government.
The IIT Delhi visit also included tours of research and innovation facilities, covering areas such as healthcare, renewable and efficient energy systems, early-warning systems, robotics, artificial intelligence and appropriate technologies.
The three-member KPMP delegation, comprising Tatung, KPMP CEO Vijayan MJ and Director Dr Mini Kochumbron, held discussions with IIT Delhi faculty and departmental representatives on possible cooperation in integrated landscape mapping, participatory village planning, solid waste management, agroecology, food systems, education, rural livelihoods, water management, tourism, infrastructure and digital technologies.
A separate interaction with Prof Vivek Kumar of IIT Delhi’s Centre for Rural Development and Technology explored technical approaches for assessing land, water and livelihood resources, including springshed protection, water security and technologies suited to the district’s terrain and rural settlements.
Tatung also interacted with students from Arunachal Pradesh and other Northeastern States studying at IIT Delhi and encouraged them to remain connected with the State and contribute their knowledge and experience to initiatives such as KPMP 2040.
The proposed Centre of Excellence is intended to create a sustained institutional relationship between IIT Delhi and a young Eastern Himalayan district pursuing a locally grounded development plan. The next stage will focus on defining its thematic scope, programme structure, governance, resource requirements and institutional partnerships.