Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s residence in New Delhi.
He apprised the Prime Minister of the initiatives taken by his Government to improve governance, and its initiative towards accountability and efficient delivery of services to the citizens.
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Expressing his gratitude to the Centre for acknowledging the accessibility hindrances in the region, the Chief Minister informed that the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) project, which will have an investment of over Rs 50,000 crore over the next three years, ‘is a huge step in bridging the connectivity deficit’.
He also thanked the Central Government for initiating robust infrastructure development in the border villages, and said a comprehensive package is being prepared for addressing the critical infrastructure gaps.
“A proposal for construction of a frontier highway is also under active consideration under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and I hope that it will be launched soon,” Khandu said, adding that the East-West Industrial Corridor in the foothills would usher in a surge of economic activity.
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Khandu also thanked the Union Government for announcing new rail links in the State, which will provide regular rail connectivity, apart from reliable and affordable travel for the commoners.
Reiterating his request for a Greenfield airport at Itanagar, Pema sought Modi’s personal support in early commencement of construction work for the civil airport in Hollongi, for which technical surveys have already been carried out by the Civil Aviation Ministry.
He also sought resources for creating infrastructure for administrative centres, including transmission lines, social infrastructure of health and education, explaining that the existing assets have outlived their utility.
The Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister reiterated the request made earlier for releasing the remaining grant of Rs 1060 crore for several centrally-sponsored schemes which have been de-linked.
Justifying his stand, Khandu said several crucial schemes under the SPA, Product Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits, JNNURM, etc have remain unfinished.
Khandu was accompanied by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, Dy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, and State BJP President Tapir Gao.
The Prime Minister on his part assured all-out support to Arunachal Pradesh. On a request from the delegation, he also promised to visit the state in January next year.