Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has urged the Centre to extend sustained support for strengthening strategic infrastructure in border areas, underlining its critical role in national security and regional development.
Khandu made the appeal during a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Sunday, where he highlighted key connectivity requirements in the frontier state, particularly in remote and forward districts.
According to an official statement, discussions centred on several ongoing and proposed projects, with special focus on the strategically significant Akajan-Likabali-Bame corridor. The chief minister stressed the need for timely execution of the project, which is expected to substantially improve connectivity between Assam’s plains and the interior districts of Upper Subansiri and Shi-Yomi.
The project includes the construction of a crucial bridge over the Taro Tamak River and is seen as a vital link for both civilian access and military logistics in sensitive border regions. Officials noted that most stretches of the corridor are being developed by the Border Roads Organisation, which has been instrumental in building and upgrading strategic road networks across Arunachal Pradesh.
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Khandu said the state has witnessed unprecedented infrastructure growth in recent years, particularly in border districts, with new roads, bridges, and connectivity projects significantly enhancing accessibility. He noted that such developments have not only improved India’s defence preparedness along its international borders but have also contributed to socio-economic progress in remote areas.
“Improved connectivity has transformed the lives of people living in far-flung regions by facilitating access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities,” he said, adding that sustained investment would further accelerate development.
The chief minister emphasised that infrastructure development in Arunachal Pradesh must be viewed through both strategic and humanitarian lenses, given the challenges posed by difficult terrain and limited accessibility in several districts.
During the meeting, Singh assured Khandu that all infrastructure proposals related to Arunachal Pradesh would be considered with due priority, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to strengthening border infrastructure.
Following the meeting, Khandu expressed gratitude for the Centre’s continued support. “We are grateful to Rajnath ji for his unwavering support towards the development of border infrastructure and the transformation of forward areas in Arunachal Pradesh,” he said in a social media post.
Officials said continued coordination between the Centre and the state government will be key to ensuring the timely completion of critical infrastructure projects, which are expected to play a decisive role in enhancing connectivity, boosting local economies, and reinforcing India’s strategic capabilities in the region.
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