ITANAGAR : Urban Affairs Minister Balo Raja on Wednesday reviewed the progress on the proposed creation of four new municipalities at Ziro, Namsai, Aalo and Tawang, directing the concerned district administrations to expedite the process while ensuring broad public consultation and stakeholder participation.

Chairing a review meeting, Raja assessed the progress made by the respective district administrations and discussed the roadmap for constituting the new Urban Local Bodies, an initiative envisioned by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu to strengthen urban governance in the state.

Emphasising the need for consensus-building, the minister directed the deputy commissioners of the four districts to conduct proper public consultations and take all stakeholders into confidence before finalising the proposals.

He also instructed the deputy commissioners to complete all required formalities by August 15, 2026, enabling the process of creating the municipalities to move forward within the stipulated timeframe.

Raja said the establishment of the new municipalities would play a key role in strengthening urban governance, improving civic service delivery and promoting planned and sustainable development in Arunachal Pradesh’s emerging urban centres.

The meeting was attended by Itanagar MLA and Advisor to Urban Affairs Minister Techi Kaso, Urban Affairs Commissioner Vivek Pandey, Urban Local Bodies Director Hano Takka, deputy commissioners and officials of the concerned districts. Tawang Deputy Commissioner Kanki Darang joined the meeting virtually.