Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu on Wednesday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Act East” policy, saying it has reshaped the state’s identity “from a mere border area to a strategic gateway and civilisational frontier of India”.In a letter to the Prime Minister on behalf of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu congratulated Modi on completing 12 continuous years in office, calling his tenure an era of “transformative governance, visionary leadership and unprecedented development” for the state and the wider Northeast.A statement from the Chief Minister’s office said Khandu underlined Arunachal’s strategic position—sharing borders with Tibet (China), Bhutan and Myanmar and spanning over 1,080 km of international boundary—and said the state has become “a key pillar of India’s strategic and developmental vision under the Prime Minister’s leadership”.Citing infrastructure expansion, Khandu said the length of national highways in Arunachal has increased from less than 1,000 km before 2014 to more than 4,060 km now, with about 14,000 km of additional roads and multiple bridges under construction. He pointed to projects including the Trans-Arunachal Highway, Frontier Highway, Sela Tunnel and Nechiphu Tunnel as improving all-weather access to remote and forward areas, aiding security and economic integration.Khandu credited the Bogibeel Bridge, inaugurated by Modi in December 2018, with cutting travel time and bringing markets such as Guwahati within five to six hours’ reach. He also cited improved air links through the operationalisation of Donyi Polo Airport and expanded services from Ziro, Tezu and Pasighat airports.Welcoming the Union Budget 2026-27 decision to introduce a dedicated scheme to develop Buddhist circuits across six Northeastern states, Khandu said it would support conservation of monasteries, promote heritage and boost tourism.On welfare measures, he said Arunachal has made “transformative progress” under flagship schemes, including school upgrades through PM SHRI and reforms linked to the National Education Policy. He said farmers are receiving direct income support under PM-KISAN, while about two lakh families are covered under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana with Rs 5 lakh health insurance each.Khandu said the State Cancer Hospital at Itanagar is under construction with central support, and that nearly 50,000 houses and toilets have been built under PMAY and the Swachh Bharat Mission. He added that piped drinking water has reached 100% of households under the Jal Jeevan Mission and that Saubhagya has electrified all villages.He also highlighted border-area development through the Vibrant Villages Programme, which targets infrastructure, connectivity, banking and livelihoods in border villages including Kibithoo, Tuting and Zemithang.On hydropower, Khandu cited Arunachal’s potential of over 58,000 MW and said renewed policy focus has revived delayed projects. He referred to the partially commissioned 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri project and said the 2,880 MW Dibang Multipurpose Project, described as the country’s largest hydropower scheme, is scheduled for completion by February 2032.Recalling Union Cabinet approvals in 2024 and April 2026, he said the Tato-I, Heo, Tato-II, Kamala and Kalai-II projects are expected to add about 3.9 GW and bring around Rs 52,000 crore in investments.Khandu also cited governance reforms such as Direct Benefit Transfer, transparent recruitment, digitisation and citizen-centric delivery as improving accountability and ease of living, and referred to Modi’s launch of the GST Bachat Utsav in Itanagar as part of the reform push.“Khandu said the Prime Minister’s greatest legacy lies not merely in physical infrastructure but in transforming lives, aspirations and opportunities across the country,” the statement said.
