Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has urged for special policy interventions and increased central assistance to tackle the state’s unique developmental and strategic challenges. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the ongoing support to the Northeast region, emphasizing the positive impact of the Act East Policy in enhancing connectivity, infrastructure, and public confidence.
Highlighting the vast geographical expanse and strategic significance of Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu emphasized the necessity for dedicated infrastructure support to overcome obstacles posed by challenging terrain and scattered settlements. Despite being the largest state in the Northeast region in terms of area, Arunachal Pradesh faces specific developmental limitations that require focused policy attention.
The Chief Minister disclosed the state’s goal of producing 40,000 MW of hydropower by 2047 and requested coordinated assistance from NITI Aayog and central ministries to effectively utilize its substantial hydropower potential. He also stressed the importance of training local youth and promoting related industries to enhance employment opportunities arising from hydropower projects.
Addressing funding issues, Khandu called for a reassessment of population-based allocation criteria, arguing that the current methods often disadvantage states like Arunachal Pradesh, which are geographically large but sparsely populated. He advocated for alternative funding approaches that consider terrain, area, and strategic importance.
Seeking to enhance connectivity, the Chief Minister proposed expanding the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) to encompass villages with populations of 250 or more, citing the need to connect remote areas that remain isolated despite the success of the Vibrant Villages Programme.
