Prez Murmu stresses on need for better border infrastructure in Arunachal

PTI, Itanagar, Feb 20, 2023 :  President Droupadi Murmu on Monday stressed on the need to build better infrastructure in the strategically located Arunachal Pradesh, given that it shares borders with three countries.

Speaking on the occasion of the northeastern state’s 37th Statehood Day here, Murmu said she was “happy to note” that several ambitious infrastructure projects were being taken up in Arunachal, which is also geographically, the largest state in the region.

Both India and China have been building a network of roads, bridges, tunnels, dams and airports to connect the border areas of Arunachal and eastern Tibet respectively. Troops from the two Asian giants have also had face-offs with each other in border areas in the recent past.

“For economic development and from security point of view, the state needs to have better infrastructure. I am happy to know that the Centre has sanctioned the Rs40,000-crore ambitious Frontier Highway project for the state. Moreover, for development of national highways projects worth over 44,000 crore have been proposed in the state,” the President pointed out.

She added that the 600 MW Kameng hydro project in West Siang district, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra in November last year, would make Arunachal a power surplus state in the country.

With the inauguration of the state’s first green field airport – Donyi Polo Airport — air connectivity and trade potential will receive a major boost, Murmu said.

The President, who also laid the foundation stone of a 40-km long double-lane road from Donyi Polo Airport to Naharlagun railway station on the occasion, said that the new road would ease travel for people.

Murmu also spoke on the need to empower women, and said society cannot develop without them being given a leading role.

“Woman is a force multiplier for development of a society. Without their development, no society can progress,” Murmu, clad in colourful traditional tribal attire, said in her address.

Referring to Bomdila resident Anshu Jamsenpa, the first woman in the world to scale Mount Everest twice in a season, and also made the fastest double ascent, the President said that women from Arunachal have excelled in various fields.

Murmu also heaped praise on Tage Rita Takhe from Ziro in Lower Subansiri district, who won the Nari Shakti Purashkar for being the first one to brew kiwi wine in the country.

“I am of the firm belief that such women will inspire many others in the country in the days to come,” she added.

Maintaining that Arunachal Pradesh, with its many tribes, is an example of unity in diversity, Murmu appealed to the people of the state to preserve its uniqueness and traditions.

The President also laid the foundation stone of a common directorate for the state’s Human Rights Commission, Lokayukta and State Food Commission here.

Murmu, on her arrival in the state, was received by Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his cabinet colleagues.

The president, during her maiden visit to Arunachal Pradesh, also sang a few lines of state song ‘Hamara Arunachal’, written by Bharat Ratna recipient, late Dr Bhupen Hazarika.

She paid tributes to the unsung heroes of the state who sacrificed their lives for the country’s freedom.

“The state government has printed a coffee table book on the unsung heroes of the state which was provided to me….. I want to mention the name of Matmur Jamoh who united the Adi community against the British and also killed an officer and his accomplices for acting against the Adis,” the President said.

She appreciated the state government’s effort to tackle climate change challenges through various initiatives under the ‘Pakke Declaration’.

The declaration envisages a multi-sectoral approach for low emission and climate-resilient development in the state.

Governor Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik, on the occasion, launched two animation films on indigenous folk stories from Arunachal Pradesh, besides a report on the unsung heroes of the state.