CM Khandu Dedicates Major Pasighat Smart City Projects to People, Calls for Public Ownership

Read Time:4 Minute, 0 Second

PASIGHAT, October 6 : Chief Minister Pema Khandu today dedicated several major infrastructure projects developed under the Pasighat Smart City Mission to the people, describing the transformation of the State’s oldest town as a significant milestone in Arunachal Pradesh’s development journey.

The projects, developed by the Pasighat Smart City Development Corporation Limited (PSC DCL), include the Siang Riverfront Development, upgraded market area, Smart Guest House, District E-Library, Recreation Centre, Smart Roads, Solid Waste Management facilities and Integrated Command and Control Centre. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Mebo Entry Gate infrastructure on the occasion.

Of the 43 projects taken up under the Pasighat Smart City Mission, 42 have been completed, while the remaining Sewage Treatment Plant is expected to be completed soon.

The Siang Riverfront Development, Smart Guest House and Recreation Centre are already being operated under revenue-generating models. Twenty-two completed projects have been handed over to the Pasighat Municipal Council and other concerned departments and agencies for operation and maintenance, while the remaining completed projects are ready for handover.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Khandu recalled that the Smart Cities Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 with the objective of transforming urban infrastructure and improving the quality of life in cities across the country. He said Pasighat was accorded Smart City status in June 2017 following sustained efforts by the State Government.

He noted that Arunachal Pradesh is the only State in the Northeast with two Smart Cities—Pasighat and Itanagar—and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Union Government and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for supporting the State’s proposal.

The Chief Minister stressed that the infrastructure created under the Smart City Mission must now translate into better opportunities, improved livelihoods and a better quality of life for citizens.

He particularly called upon the people to take ownership of the newly created public infrastructure and ensure its proper upkeep.

“Government infrastructure is created for the public. It is public property, and maintaining it is also the responsibility of the public,” Khandu said.

He cited the upkeep of public infrastructure in Tawang as an example of strong community ownership and expressed confidence that the people of the Adi community would demonstrate a similar sense of responsibility towards the newly created assets.

Focus on Youth and Local Livelihoods

Linking Pasighat’s transformation with the larger development vision of Arunachal Pradesh and the country, the Chief Minister said the State must contribute meaningfully towards the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

“Viksit Bharat will happen only when Arunachal Pradesh is developed. Without Arunachal Pradesh, India cannot become Viksit Bharat,” he said.

He urged elected representatives, administrators and citizens to work collectively towards building a Viksit Arunachal by 2047.

Khandu said the State has already initiated the planning process for this vision, which will be further strengthened through consultations with stakeholders.

He emphasised that the next phase of development must focus strongly on the aspirations of the youth. Government policies and development platforms, he said, should create sustainable livelihood opportunities for educated youth as well as people living in rural areas.

He called upon MLAs, councillors and panchayat representatives to adopt innovative approaches and convert local resources and opportunities into viable economic activities.

Tourism and Entrepreneurship Potential

Highlighting the immense tourism potential of the Siang region, Khandu said the newly developed riverfront, improved roads and better communication infrastructure could be leveraged to attract more tourists and generate employment for local communities.

He suggested exploring innovative concepts, including mobile restaurants and other tourism-based enterprises, to create new attractions and livelihood opportunities.

The Chief Minister also highlighted agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors as promising avenues for engaging the State’s youth, noting that Arunachal Pradesh’s fertile land and diverse natural resources offer significant scope for entrepreneurship.

Greater Convergence for Better Outcomes

Khandu called upon government officers to make greater use of convergence among Central and State Government schemes to maximize the impact of public expenditure.

He said the Pasighat Smart City Mission itself demonstrated the benefits of such convergence. Around Rs 490 crore was allotted by the Government of India, while Rs 51.77 crore was provided by the State Government and Rs 3.94 crore mobilized through convergence funding.

“Convergence should not be one plus one equals two; it should be one plus one equals eleven,” the Chief Minister said, urging officials to study different schemes and strategically combine them to create greater infrastructure, employment and economic opportunities.

The Chief Minister said the completion of the major Smart City projects marks an important phase in Pasighat’s urban transformation, but stressed that the real success of the initiative would be measured by how effectively the infrastructure is maintained and utilized to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people.