GOVERNOR’S SECRETARIAT
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
ITANAGAR

No.GS/O-180/A/2000 Dated 2nd April, 2008

PRESS RELEASE

Continuing in his endeavour for the development of Arunachal Pradesh His Excellency Gen (Retd) J J Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Governor of Arunachal Pradesh conducted a series of meetings in New Delhi with various Cabinet Ministers. During his meeting with Smt. Ambika Soni, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, His Excellency got the commitment of Rs.70 lakhs for promoting rural tourism as well as additional Cable Cars to cover the magnificent water falls in Lumpo area of Tawang District. His Excellency also briefed the Hon’ble Minister about potential of tourism industries to change the complete socio-economic life of the State.

During his meeting with Hon’ble Minister of Ralways Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav, His Excellency thanked him for sanctioning Harmuti-Itanagar railway line and also promised that the land acquisition work will be done expeditiously. The Governor also highlighted the other railway projects such as Rupai-Parashuramkund railway line. The Governor also proposed the Jan-Shatabdi Express between Harmuti and Guwahati. In a good will gesture, the Hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav offered a Toy-Train for the kids of Arunachal Pradesh.

Realizing the fact that telecommunication being extremely crucial for the development of the State the Governor had an extensive discussion with Shri A Raja. The Governor explained the extent of remoteness and told the Hon’ble Minister that Telecommunication is the only viable solution at this juncture. The Hon’ble Minister promised that the department will do its best to ensure that the telecommunication and mobile connectivity is provided to all the 34 administrative centres which are not connected by road and also to establish good connectivity in the border areas. The Hon’ble Ministers also informed the Governor that they will be asking 3 private companies to set up the mobile communication infrastructure in the State. The Governor urged the Minister to strengthen the communication infrastructure using the funds available under USO (Universal Service Obligation).

The development of Green-field Airport at Itanagar and the development of other 9 airstrips in different parts of Arunachal Pradesh is the significant component of the Prime Minister’s package. Realizing the importance, His Excellency the Governor met Shri Praful Patel Hon’ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation. The Governor emphasized that all these projects should be finished on priority preferably within two to three years.

The Governor also advocated for more numbers of STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) Capacity airstrips to cover mountainous region of Arunachal Pradesh.

Sd/-
(P.S. Lokhande )IAS
Secretary to Governor