In the land of Rising Sun 

“The Centre has given the highest priority to the development of the NE region, including Arunachal,” says Dr. Manmohan Singh.

“Our government has given the highest priority to the development of the North Eastern Region, including Arunachal Pradesh,” said Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to Arunachal.

“My visit to Itanagar is associated with the launch of several new projects. A new dawn of progress and prosperity is about to break out in this beautiful State, the Prime Minister stated.

“Arunachal Pradesh was a favourite of two of our beloved leaders, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, while one created Arunachal Pradesh, the other granted statehood. Since then, Arunachal Pradesh has made rapid strides in all fields,” remarked the Prime Minister.

“I too am linked with the North East as an MP from Assam and I have always tried to promote the development of this region,” he said. “The purpose of my visit is to meet you, see some of the beautiful parts of your state, commence work on some important projects and discuss what more needs to be done for Arunachal Pradesh,” Dr. Singh said.

Revealing the strategy to develop Arunachal at par with rest of the country the Prime Minister stated, “Today, we have a definite strategy for the development of Arunachal Pradesh. There are four major areas where we need to work if we have to ensure the rapid development of the state.”

“The State needs good connectivity with the rest of the country - through roads, railways and airports. There is a need for good infrastructure within the State - roads, power and drinking water. The people of Arunachal Pradesh need much better educational and health facilities. And most importantly, the state needs all round economic development - in tourism, in food processing, through large scale power projects,” the Prime Minister opined. “It is on this broad strategy that we are now going to take measures for the development of Arunachal Pradesh,” he informed.

“It is only through these measures and through the all round development of Arunachal Pradesh can we ensure that the nation moves ahead in step towards a glorious future, expressed the Prime Minister.

Dr. Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stones of the new Secretariat building, the Pare and Dibang power projects and the Itanagar water supply scheme.  “We need to take up many more such projects,” he opined.

“Arunachal Pradesh is rich in water resources and has immense potential for hydro-electric energy. The Dibang project alone will generate over Rs 300 crores of revenue for the state from the free power it is entitled to. If we build similar projects across the state, then the state can generate annual revenues Rs 3000-4000 rores. This single step alone can change the fortunes of the state,” Dr. Singh said.

“I am happy to announce that our government is taking up a programme for the electrification of all households in Arunachal Pradesh. Costing Rs 550 crores, we will utilise solar power, micro-hydel projects and also grid based power to cover all villages in the border area and also other villages. This will be done in two years.”

The new rail link between Itanagar and Harmuti will reduce the travel time to destinations outside the State and provide more economical access.

He also announced that a new greenfield airport will be coming up at Itanagar. “We will also be operationalising other airports at Pasighat, Along, Daporijo, Ziro and Tezu.  The Ministry of Defence will upgrade the infrastructure at Tuting, Mechuka, Pasighat, Vijainagar and Walong, he informed.

“I am also happy to announce daily helicopter services between Guwahati and Tawang.”

“The government will build a 2-lane Trans-Arunachal Pradesh Highway. This highway - which will be a priority project, will go from from Tawang to Mahadevpur, covering 1840 Kms. and costing Rs 5500 crores, and passing through Bomdi La, Nechipur, Sippa, Sagalee, Ziro, Daparijo, Along, Pasighat, Roing, Tezu, Mahadevpur, Namchik, Changlang, Khonsa and Kanubari.  This will be a flagship highway and one of the most important new road projects to be taken up by my government. It will contribute to the economic development of the State and create new employment opportunities for the youth of Arunachal Pradesh. In three to four years, we will connect Itanagar with a 4-lane highway,” he said.

Other announcement made by the Prime Minister was connectiong 513 inhabitations with roads under the PMGSY.

The Naharlagun - Nirjuli drinking water project inaugurated today will provide water to 80,000 people. The Centre has given Rs 77 crores for the drinking water supply project for Itanagar.

“We are giving Rs 400 crores for the reconstruction of areas damaged by floods. This, and the dams being built, will mitigate the effects of floods. The Planning Commission is going to give Rs 265 crores this year for the completion of incomplete projects,” the Prime Minister informed.

The Prime Minister believes that the progress and development of States like Arunachal Pradesh is a measure of the progress and development of the nation as a whole. Your progress will strengthen the nation. “We will provide educational facilities for your children. We will improve your connectivity. We will help you preserve your unique identity and culture. This is the beauty of our nation. Our nation is built on the idea of unity in diversity. This is also what gives us strength as a nation. I sincerely hope that like the sun, Arunachal Pradesh will rise from the east as a new star and become one of the best regions of our country,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, few civil societies and students’ unions have launched fresh protests against the various power projects being set up in Arunachal Pradesh.

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