CM Khandu Inaugurates 33kV Substation, Staff Quarters at RKM Hospital

Read Time:3 Minute, 31 Second

ITANAGAR, October 4 : Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated a dedicated 33kV power substation and the Vivekananda Bhavan Phase-II staff quarters at Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) Hospital, Itanagar, and assured continued State Government support to strengthen the institution’s healthcare and educational initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh.

The new staff quarters will accommodate around 18 staff members, while the dedicated power substation has been established exclusively for the hospital. The Chief Minister formally dedicated both facilities to RKM Hospital and its extended family.

Khandu also joined the presentation of Tokens of Appreciation to doctors, wards and staff members of the hospital in recognition of their dedicated contribution to healthcare services in the State.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister recalled the long and significant association of the Ramakrishna Mission with Arunachal Pradesh, beginning with the establishment of its school at Aalo in 1966, followed by the Ramakrishna Mission at Narottam Nagar and the establishment of RKM Hospital at Itanagar in 1978-79.

He noted that generations of students educated at RKM institutions have gone on to serve the State and the country in important positions in public life and government service, particularly those who studied at the Aalo and Narottam Nagar institutions.

Highlighting the State Government’s efforts to expand the Mission’s educational footprint, Khandu said he had recently urged the Ramakrishna Mission authorities to enter the field of higher education in Arunachal Pradesh.

Following discussions with the Mission leadership, he said, in-principle approval has been accorded for setting up two colleges—one at Aalo and another at Narottam Nagar.

The government is exploring the possibility of utilising existing infrastructure for the proposed institutions so that the initiative can be operationalised at the earliest, he added.

The Chief Minister also appreciated the Ramakrishna Mission for establishing an educational institution at Lamdung in East Kameng district, stating that it would help address the gap in access to quality education in western Arunachal Pradesh.

On healthcare, Khandu said the upcoming 200-bed expansion of RKM Hospital would significantly strengthen healthcare delivery in the State.

He highlighted the rapid expansion of healthcare infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh, including the establishment of TRIHMS, where MBBS intake has increased from the initial 50 seats to 100 seats over the last two years.

He further informed that the State is preparing to establish a second medical college at Namsai, with construction expected to begin shortly. A third medical college in the West Kameng-Tawang region, with an intake capacity of around 150 students, is also being planned under the PPP mode.

An investor delegation from Delhi is scheduled to visit the proposed site and hold discussions with the concerned department, he added.

Responding to RKM Hospital’s requirement for a dedicated water supply, Khandu said the matter had been referred to the concerned department for necessary processing and funding.

Referring to the dedicated water supply arrangement created for TRIHMS, he said a similar solution for RKM Hospital would be pursued once the proposal reaches the appropriate stage.

Khandu also stressed the need for advance planning of water infrastructure in view of the rapid urbanisation of the Itanagar-Naharlagun capital region. He said the State Government has already prepared and submitted a proposal to the Government of India for a major water supply project for the capital region and that efforts would be made to take it forward at the earliest.

The Chief Minister also took note of the poor condition of the existing staff and doctors’ quarters at the hospital, many of which date back to the 1970s and 1980s.

He said the Ramakrishna Mission had already submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the State Government for replacement of the ageing infrastructure and assured that he would take up the matter with the Planning Department.

Khandu said the government would work towards approving the first phase at the earliest, enabling construction to commence without further delay.

Those present on the occasion included Home Minister Mama Natung; MLAs Pani Taram and Jikke Tako; Vice President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Rev Swami Suhitananda Ji Maharaj; Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, Rev Swami Vedassaranandaji Maharaj; Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Narottamnagar, Rev Swami Achyuteshanandaji Maharaj, among others.