PASIGHAT, OCT 6:
Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday dedicated several major infrastructure projects developed under the Pasighat Smart City Mission to the people, describing the transformation of the State’s oldest town as an important reflection of the development taking place across Arunachal Pradesh.
Of the 43 projects taken up under the Pasighat Smart City Mission, 42 have been completed, Khandu said, adding that the remaining Sewage Treatment Plant is also expected to be completed soon.
Among the completed projects are the Siang Riverfront Development, upgraded market area, Smart Guest House, District E-Library, Recreation Centre, Smart Roads, Solid Waste Management facilities and Integrated Command and Control Centre. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Mebo Entry Gate infrastructure.
The Siang Riverfront Development, Smart Guest House and Recreation Centre are already being operated under revenue-generating models, while 22 completed projects have been handed over to the Pasighat Municipal Council and other concerned departments and agencies for operation and maintenance. The remaining completed projects are ready for handover.
Addressing the gathering, Khandu said the Smart Cities Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 to take urban development across the country to a new level. Pasighat was accorded Smart City status in June 2017 following sustained efforts by the State Government, he said.
He noted that Arunachal Pradesh is the only State in the Northeast with two Smart Cities—Pasighat and Itanagar—and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, Union Government and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for supporting the State’s proposal.
Khandu stressed that the infrastructure created through the mission must translate into better opportunities and quality of life for citizens. He particularly urged people to take ownership of public assets and ensure their proper upkeep.
“Government infrastructure is created for the public. It is public property, and maintaining it is also the responsibility of the public,” he said, calling for greater community participation alongside the administration and elected representatives.
Referring to the upkeep of public infrastructure in Tawang as an example of strong public ownership, Khandu expressed confidence that the people of the Adi community would demonstrate a similar sense of responsibility towards the newly created assets.
Linking Pasighat’s transformation with the larger development vision, Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh must contribute meaningfully to the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. “Viksit Bharat will happen only when Arunachal Pradesh is developed. Without Arunachal Pradesh, India cannot become Viksit Bharat,” he said, urging elected representatives, administrators and citizens to work towards building a Viksit Arunachal by 2047.
The Chief Minister said the State had already initiated its planning process for the vision and would further firm it up in consultation with stakeholders. He stressed that the next phase of development should focus particularly on creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for youth, including those in rural areas.
Pointing to Siang’s tourism potential, Khandu said the riverfront and improved road and communication infrastructure could be leveraged to attract tourists and generate local employment. He called for innovative approaches by MLAs, councillors and panchayat representatives to convert local opportunities into viable economic activities.
Khandu also called for greater convergence of Central and State schemes to maximise the impact of public expenditure. He said the Pasighat Smart City Mission was itself an example of such convergence, with around Rs 490 crore provided by the Government of India, Rs 51.77 crore by the State Government and Rs 3.94 crore mobilised through convergence funding.
“Convergence should not be one plus one equals two; it should be one plus one equals eleven,” he said, urging officials to strategically combine schemes to create additional infrastructure and employment opportunities.
He further highlighted agriculture, horticulture and other sectors as avenues for engaging youth, saying Arunachal Pradesh’s fertile land and diverse resources offer significant scope for entrepreneurship.
