New Delhi/Itanagar, May 1 (IANS) — Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday said the Northeast has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, moving from a perception of insurgency and isolation to becoming an emerging engine of India’s growth. Speaking at the Isaac Centre for Public Policy (ICPP) Growth Conference 2026 in New Delhi, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focused policy push, expanded infrastructure and improved connectivity for reshaping the region’s economic and social landscape.
Khandu said regular visits by Union ministers and senior officials have helped identify local problems and accelerate solutions, boosting delivery on the ground. He described Arunachal Pradesh as one of India’s most beautiful and strategically important states, noting it is the largest in the Northeast and both the easternmost and northernmost in the region.
Tracing the state’s modern history, Khandu recalled its evolution from the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) to a Union Territory in 1972 and full statehood in 1987. He highlighted Arunachal’s cultural diversity, with 26 major tribes and more than a hundred sub-tribes, and said Hindi functions as an important link language across communities.
On economic potential, the Chief Minister called Arunachal a “powerhouse of India” for hydropower. He said hydropower projects totalling about 19,000 MW are currently at various stages of development, with a long-term target of 40,000 MW by 2047 to support national development goals. He also pointed to rapid growth in tourism, agriculture and horticulture driven by better connectivity and new road links to remote and border areas.
Khandu outlined governance reforms aimed at transparency and merit-based recruitment, including a strengthened Staff Selection Board for Group C and D hires and reforms in the Public Service Commission to restore public trust. On education, he said the state is prioritising quality over quantity, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020 and aiming for full implementation by 2030. He acknowledged difficult decisions such as rationalising more than 600 non-viable schools to improve outcomes, and stressed community participation in education, especially in remote areas.
The Chief Minister also noted expansion in higher education and healthcare infrastructure, including new medical colleges, and reiterated the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Referring to India’s COP26 commitments, he said the state has adopted a structured approach with defined pillars and strategies to balance development with conservation and to involve local communities in preserving forests and natural resources.
Khandu highlighted citizen-centric schemes such as “SevaAapkeDwar” and “Sarkar AapkeDwar” that bring services to remote villages, and cited national initiatives like the Vibrant Villages Programme, highway expansion and hydropower projects as factors strengthening connectivity and community resilience. “When we invest in people and create opportunities, we move forward together,” he said. The conference brought together policymakers, academics and thought leaders to discuss public policy, education and inclusive growth.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/northeast-sees-decade-of-transformation-says-arunachal-cm-pema-khandu
Category: North-East
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Publish Date: 2026-05-01 19:56:00
