Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a seepage management system and storm water drainage system at the Dorjee Khandu State Convention Centre here in presence of Arunachal Pradesh Governor B D Mishra, chief minister Pema Khandu, deputy chief minister Chowna Mein and other ministers.
Addressing the gathering, Naidu said the project cost estimated at Rs 16.59 cr and Rs 14.53 cr respectively under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme is aimed at improving the urban infrastructure related to drainage system and improving the urban landscape.
Naidu who is on a maiden visit to Arunachal as vice president said he is delighted to be in Arunachal on the occasion of laying of foundation stone for two very important projects.
Describing Arunachal as a very beautiful state, the vice-president said the state is well on the road to become a mighty state in terms of development under a helpful Prime Minister and a dutiful Chief Minister.
“Arunachal Pradesh has a pride of place in our national scheme of things being a very important border state,” Naidu said.
He emphasized on peace, both beyond and within our boundaries as crucial ingredient for rapid development of our country.
“We believe in resolving differences through negotiations in an atmosphere of trust and good will,” the vice-president said.
In his speech, Chief Minister Khandu said the vice-president during his tenure as Urban Minister brought out the concept of AMRUT scheme to improve living conditions in urban areas as he had visualised India moving away from villages to urban areas.
He also said, “It was also during his (Naidu) tenure that Smart City Mission was launched and we Arunachalis are fortunate to have two Smart Cities – Itanagar and Pasighat, making us among the few states in India and the only one in Northeast to have such privilege. I sincerely thank Naidu who made this possible.”
The Chief Minister further made fervent appeal to the vice-president for separate IAS/IFS/IPS cadre for Arunachal saying that the state is lagging in development indices because of lack of such facility that are responsible for robust policy making.
Deputy Chief Minister in his welcome address hoped that the projects would be completed well in time and the state capital will see tremendous improvement in the Sewage Management and Drainage System on its successful implementation.
Governor Mishra said Centre is giving lots of attention for the development of the State under its Act East Policy and now it is for the people of the state and the region to make best use of the opportunity.
Expressing his hope that the projects for which foundation stones were laid on the day, the Governor reiterated that for proper implementation of any project, there should be transparency, accountability, continuity, audit and review and mid course correction if required.