Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday assured continued government support to the Ramakrishna Mission’s healthcare and education initiatives in the state, announcing in-principle approval for two colleges at Aalo and Narottam Nagar.
Khandu announced while inaugurating a dedicated 33kV power substation and Phase-II of the Vivekananda Bhavan staff quarters at Ramakrishna Mission Hospital in Itanagar.
The new quarters will accommodate about 18 staff members, while the power substation will exclusively serve the hospital. Khandu also presented tokens of appreciation to doctors, nurses and other staff members for their services.
Recalling the Ramakrishna Mission’s long association with Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu said its journey in the state began with a school at Aalo in 1966, followed by the institution at Narottam Nagar and the establishment of the Itanagar hospital in 1978-79.
He said several generations of students from the Mission’s institutions, particularly Aalo and Narottam Nagar, had gone on to hold key positions in government and public life.
Khandu said he had recently urged the Mission to expand into higher education. Following discussions with its leadership, the government has given in-principle approval for colleges at Aalo and Narottam Nagar.
The government is examining the use of existing infrastructure to start the institutions at the earliest, he said.
He also welcomed the Mission’s initiative to establish an educational institution at Lamdung in East Kameng district, saying it would help address the shortage of quality educational facilities in western Arunachal Pradesh.
On healthcare, Khandu said the proposed expansion of Ramakrishna Mission Hospital to 200 beds would strengthen medical services in the state.
He said Arunachal’s healthcare infrastructure had expanded significantly, citing the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), where MBBS seats have risen from 50 to 100 in the past two years.
A second medical college is planned at Namsai, with construction expected to begin soon. A third, in the West Kameng-Tawang region, is being planned under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, with an intake of around 150 students.
Khandu said an investor delegation from Delhi was expected to visit the proposed site and hold talks with the concerned department.
On the hospital’s demand for a dedicated water supply, Khandu said the proposal had been sent to the concerned department for examination and funding. He pointed to the dedicated water system at TRIHMS and said a similar arrangement for the RKM hospital would be pursued.
He also stressed the need for long-term water planning in the Itanagar-Naharlagun capital region, citing rapid urbanisation. A major water supply proposal has already been submitted to the Centre, he said.
Khandu also took note of the ageing staff and doctors’ quarters at the hospital, many of which were built in the 1970s and 1980s. The Mission has submitted a detailed project report (DPR) to the state government for their replacement.
The Chief Minister said he would take up the proposal with the Planning Department and work towards securing approval for the first phase so that construction could begin at the earliest.
Home Minister Mama Natung, MLAs Pani Taram and Jikke Tako, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission vice-president Rev Swami Suhitananda Ji Maharaj, Ramakrishna Mission Hospital secretary Rev Swami Vedassaranandaji Maharaj and Ramakrishna Mission, Narottam Nagar secretary Rev Swami Achyuteshanandaji Maharaj were among those present.