Itanagar

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday lauded the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government over the past 12 years, stating that the period has witnessed remarkable progress in India's international stature, economic development, and infrastructure expansion. He noted that the northeastern region has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of these initiatives.

Addressing a press conference in Itanagar, Khandu said India has progressed from being the world's 11th-largest economy in 2014 to the fourth-largest economy today and is steadily moving towards securing the third position globally.

He credited the central government with significantly improving connectivity and accelerating development across Arunachal Pradesh and the wider northeastern region.

According to Khandu, the scale of transformation witnessed during the last decade is unprecedented compared to previous administrations since Independence. He said India has gained greater respect and recognition on the global stage under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, while Indian culture and the diaspora have received increased international prominence.

Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the chief minister expressed confidence that the country is steadily advancing towards becoming one of the world's leading economic powers.

He also highlighted several welfare measures introduced by the Centre, particularly those aimed at empowering women and creating opportunities for young people.

Khandu said infrastructure development has expanded rapidly in recent years, with substantial investments being made in roads, railways, aviation, and digital connectivity. He described the transformation of the Northeast as particularly noteworthy.

Among the major achievements, he cited the expansion of airport infrastructure across the region and pointed to the establishment of Arunachal Pradesh's first greenfield airport at Hollongi, now known as Donyi Polo Airport. He described the project as a milestone for the state, noting that it was approved in 2019 and completed within a short period before being inaugurated by the prime minister in 2022.

On railway connectivity, Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh was linked to the national railway network during the Modi government's tenure and that further expansion projects are progressing swiftly. Railway lines are being extended towards Pasighat and other areas, while surveys are underway for a strategically important rail link to Tawang.

The chief minister also highlighted advancements in healthcare infrastructure. He noted that Arunachal Pradesh, which previously had no medical college, now has its first medical institution, with annual student intake having doubled from 50 to 100 seats.

Additionally, he said another medical college is expected to become operational in Namsai district through a public-private partnership model.

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Khandu maintained that the Centre's emphasis on infrastructure creation, healthcare development, and inclusive growth has accelerated the state's progress and strengthened its integration with the rest of the country.