"Arunachal Pradesh hydropower potential can spearhead nation's aim for green energy," AP guv KT Parnaik

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt General KT Parnaik (Retd.) said that the state has 40 per cent of India's hydropower potential, which can spearhead the nation's aim for green energy, and also generate huge revenues for the state. While addressing the 13th session of the seventh Legislative Assembly in the state Legislative Assembly Hall, Itanagar on Thursday, the governor said, "Arunachal Pradesh includes 40 per cent of India's hydropower potential. This can spearhead the nation's aim for green energy, and also generate huge revenues for the state."

"In the last 8 years, the state government has successfully commissioned the Payu Micro Hydel Station (MHS) at Pinchi with a total capacity of 500 Killo-Watt (kW), commissioned the 600 MW Kameng Hydro Power Project which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and dedicated to the nation," he said. It has also commissioned a total of 17 projects to date under the Golden Jubilee Border Village Illumination programme and signed agreements with 3 central PSUs for kick-starting 13 stalled Mega Hydro Projects of 12,523 Mega-Watt (MW) capacity, he added.

These projects entail a cumulative investment of close to Rs 1.4 lakh crore and will generate an annual revenue of Rs 10,000 crore when completed. Overall, the state government has invested a total of Rs 1,013.8 crore in the Hydropower sector in the last 7 years, with the singular impact of - a 213 per cent increase in our installed hydropower capacity from 405 MW in 2015-16 to 1,270 MW in 2022-23, making Arunachal the second power surplus State in the North-East. "The construction of the Subansiri Lower Hydro electrical Project with a capacity of 2,000 MW is nearing completion, making it the Largest Hydropower Dam in the country at present, which will only be surpassed by the 2,880 MW Dibang Multipurpose Project, when completed," the Arunachal Pradesh Governor said.

The Governor also said that the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) is a shining example of synergy and convergence to create infrastructure in the remotest areas of the State. "With the motto 'connectivity to activity to vibrancy' in our border areas - 1,452 villages have been systematically mapped, 455 priority villages have been identified for development, and 252 border habitations have been connected through the construction of 2,506 km of roads, to improve ease of living of remote rural communities," the Governor said.

"As a result of these interventions, we have started witnessing the welcome reverse migration in many border area localities. I am confident that sustained focus of the Government on the VVP will further promote activity and vibrancy in these areas," he added. In his speech, the Governor said that, over the past eight years, Arunachal Pradesh has witnessed a remarkable surge in road infrastructure.

"In this timeframe, despite challenges of terrain and weather, Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his team have constructed an extensive 19,863 km road network and successfully developed 2,482 km of national highways. As a result of focused investment in the road sector, in the last 8 years, there has been a 91per cent increase in the length of highways from 1,042 km in 2015-16 to 1,992 km in 2022-2023 and a 64 per cent increase in overall road length. The road density has increased from 36.65 Km/Sq.Km to 65.99 Km/Sq.Km since 2015-16 and 195 bridges have been built to connect the previously unconnected areas, he said.

"We can look ahead to an additional 2,857 km of national highways, which are slated for construction, with a union government allocation of Rs 44,000 crore. 105 roads, covering 1,022 km and connecting 125 habitations, with an estimated cost of Rs 2,205 crore have been sanctioned under the Vibrant Village Programme," the Governor said. He also said that, in a historical development, seen only after 75 years of independence, the State now has its first full-fledged Donyi-Polo Airport at Hollongi, Itanagar, which has recently obtained an all-weather license.

"Arunachal now boasts 4 airports at Hollongi, Pasighat, Tezu, and Ziro - all developed within the last 8 years," he said adding that the state had witnessed the transformational development and rapid progress of the country under the visionary and globally acknowledged leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "We have made progress in leaps and bounds in all sectors under the dynamic and energetic leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu in the state. The 'Mantra' of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', 'Sabka Vishwas' aur 'Sabka Prayas' of the Prime Minister has inspired my Government, very ably led by Pema Khandu, to toil and strive towards contributing to the vision of 'Viksit Bharat'," the Governor said. (ANI)

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