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Giving Arunachal Pradesh its due as a strategically important border state, India has decided to not only set up the second battalion of the new Arunachal Scouts battalion, but also to expedite operationalisation of the planned advanced landing grounds and construction of border roads.
Defence Minister AK Antony, who was in Itanagar to declare open the five-day festival to celebrate the silver jubilee of Arunachal Pradesh's statehood, announced that the centre has approved a number of proposals made by the state with regard to infrastructure development and creation of job opportunities.
Arunachal Pradesh shares 1,680 square km of international border with China, Myanmar and Bhutan. But China has been claiming about 90,000 sq km of the state's land of its own.
Stressing the importance of a secure, non-porous international border, Antony said the proposals submitted by the state to the Prime Ministers Office and the Planning Commission to provide connectivity to 22 unconnected administrative centres, construction of foot suspension bridges, log bridges and porter tracks in border areas, as well as providing drinking water facilities in border areas are highly relevant and will definitely be given a serious consideration.
Known earlier as North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), the areas that fall under the present day Arunachal Pradesh were granted full statehood in 1987.
Antony also announced the decision to set up the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) at Dirang.
"This Institute would definitely motivate the local youth to take up adventure sports in large numbers," he said.
Considering the strategic importance of the state, the Defence Minister said, "the defence ministry has also taken a decision on the funding of land acquisition for the company locations of the first battalion of Arunachal Scouts."
He called upon all the concerned agencies to work towards early operationalisation of Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs) in the state.
Antony said the construction of roads in the state needed to be accelerated, particularly on the Tezpur-Tawang sector.
During the last six years, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has executed work worth more than Rs.2,900 crore ($600 million) for improving and developing the infrastructure in the state.
"But, clearly a lot more needs to be done. We have to also keep in mind sentiments of the local people and ensure that their grievances are taken into account and addressed to the extent possible," he said.
Describing Arunachal Pradesh as the future power house of the country, Antony said when various power projects become operational over the next decade, the revenue earnings of the state would be to the extent of Rs.10,000 crore ($2 billion) annually.
This will make Arunachal Pradesh the richest state in the country in terms of per capita income.
"However, the real challenge lies in ensuring that these projects get implemented as per schedule and distribution of this wealth among the people of the state is equitable. The people of the state must remain vigilant against letting vested interests take over. Though power projects are important, the genuine ecological concerns must be adequately addressed in the process. The other concerns of the common people should also be taken care of," he added.
Second Battalion of Arunachal Scouts, New Infrastructure Projects Approved - Defence Now
Defence Minister AK Antony, who was in Itanagar to declare open the five-day festival to celebrate the silver jubilee of Arunachal Pradesh's statehood, announced that the centre has approved a number of proposals made by the state with regard to infrastructure development and creation of job opportunities.
Arunachal Pradesh shares 1,680 square km of international border with China, Myanmar and Bhutan. But China has been claiming about 90,000 sq km of the state's land of its own.
Stressing the importance of a secure, non-porous international border, Antony said the proposals submitted by the state to the Prime Ministers Office and the Planning Commission to provide connectivity to 22 unconnected administrative centres, construction of foot suspension bridges, log bridges and porter tracks in border areas, as well as providing drinking water facilities in border areas are highly relevant and will definitely be given a serious consideration.
Known earlier as North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), the areas that fall under the present day Arunachal Pradesh were granted full statehood in 1987.
Antony also announced the decision to set up the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) at Dirang.
"This Institute would definitely motivate the local youth to take up adventure sports in large numbers," he said.
Considering the strategic importance of the state, the Defence Minister said, "the defence ministry has also taken a decision on the funding of land acquisition for the company locations of the first battalion of Arunachal Scouts."
He called upon all the concerned agencies to work towards early operationalisation of Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs) in the state.
Antony said the construction of roads in the state needed to be accelerated, particularly on the Tezpur-Tawang sector.
During the last six years, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has executed work worth more than Rs.2,900 crore ($600 million) for improving and developing the infrastructure in the state.
"But, clearly a lot more needs to be done. We have to also keep in mind sentiments of the local people and ensure that their grievances are taken into account and addressed to the extent possible," he said.
Describing Arunachal Pradesh as the future power house of the country, Antony said when various power projects become operational over the next decade, the revenue earnings of the state would be to the extent of Rs.10,000 crore ($2 billion) annually.
This will make Arunachal Pradesh the richest state in the country in terms of per capita income.
"However, the real challenge lies in ensuring that these projects get implemented as per schedule and distribution of this wealth among the people of the state is equitable. The people of the state must remain vigilant against letting vested interests take over. Though power projects are important, the genuine ecological concerns must be adequately addressed in the process. The other concerns of the common people should also be taken care of," he added.
Second Battalion of Arunachal Scouts, New Infrastructure Projects Approved - Defence Now