Editor,

I would like to bring to the attention of the people of Arunachal Pradesh the remarkable developmental transformation our state has witnessed under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

In a democratic society, criticism is natural and necessary, but at the same time, genuine developmental works must also be acknowledged fairly and honestly by the people.

Arunachal is one of the most geographically challenging states in India. Difficult terrains, scattered habitations, poor connectivity, landslides, and harsh weather conditions had long slowed the pace of development. However, over the last several years, visible changes can be seen across infrastructure, roads, tourism, healthcare, digital governance, and economic growth.

One of the greatest achievements of the present government has been road connectivity. According to official data, nearly 19,863 kilometres of road network have been constructed, while national highway development increased by almost 91%, from around 1,042 km in 2015-16 to nearly 1,992 km in recent years. This is a massive achievement for a mountainous frontier state like Arunachal.

Projects such as the Trans-Arunachal Highway have significantly improved district connectivity and reduced travel time. The historic Sela tunnel project has become a game changer for Tawang connectivity, ensuring easier all-weather transportation even during heavy snowfall. Earlier, roads to Tawang remained blocked for days due to snow and landslides, causing hardship for civilians, tourists, and security forces. Today, that challenge is gradually being overcome through modern infrastructure.

Remote areas like Vijaynagar, Tali, and several border villages have also seen improved connectivity. These developments are not just about roads; they directly impact the lives of ordinary citizens. Better roads mean that farmers can transport produce more easily, students can travel safely for education, patients can access hospitals faster, and essential goods can reach remote villages without extreme difficulty.

Another historic milestone during Khandu’s tenure is the establishment of Donyi Polo Airport in Hollongi. For decades, the people of Arunachal had to depend mainly on airports outside the state, especially Guwahati, involving long and exhausting road journeys. Today, Arunachal proudly operates its own major airport with flights connecting cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, and others. This single project has revolutionised travel, tourism, business opportunities, and emergency medical access for the people of the state.

Tourism is another sector that has grown tremendously under the present leadership. Places such as Tawang, Ziro, Mechukha, Pasighat, and Dirang are now nationally recognised tourist destinations. Improved roads, airport connectivity, tourism festivals, and promotional campaigns have increased visitor inflow and generated employment opportunities for local youths through hotels, homestays, transport services, restaurants, and local businesses.

The healthcare sector has also shown encouraging progress. Official reports indicate that Arunachal’s infant mortality rate reduced from 22.9 to 12.9, while neonatal mortality reduced from 11.8 to 7.7. These are not ordinary statistics; they reflect improvement in healthcare delivery and maternal-child health services. Institutions like the Tomo Riba Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) have strengthened medical education and treatment facilities within the state. Earlier, many families had no option but to seek treatment outside Arunachal, but today healthcare services are gradually improving within the state itself.

The government has also introduced major digital governance reforms such as e-ILP, e-Office, eGRAS, online monitoring systems, and digital administrative platforms. In a state where physical movement is difficult due to terrain and weather, digital governance has made government services more accessible and transparent for common citizens.

Economically too, Arunachal has witnessed remarkable growth. Official figures suggest that the state’s own revenue increased from around Rs 1,253 crore to over Rs 3,412 crore, reflecting nearly 172% growth. The state budget reportedly increased by around 137%, while gross state domestic product (GSDP) also witnessed significant expansion. Such economic growth provides greater opportunities for infrastructure, welfare schemes, education, and employment generation.

Hydropower development is another important area where the government has taken long-term initiatives. Arunachal possesses enormous hydropower potential, and major projects like the Dibang Multipurpose Project and Kameng Hydro Project are expected to generate employment, infrastructure development, and future revenue for the state. Reports suggest that the Dibang project alone may generate hundreds of crores annually in free power benefits and local development funds.

The youths of Arunachal have also received greater encouragement in sports, skill development, entrepreneurship, and employment-oriented programmes. Arunachali athletes are increasingly bringing recognition to the state at regional and national levels, while government support towards sports infrastructure and youth participation has improved considerably.

Certainly, no government is without shortcomings. Concerns regarding unemployment, corruption, maintenance issues, and administrative delays still exist and deserve serious attention. However, it would be unfair to ignore the undeniable progress that has taken place across the state over the years.

Today, Arunachal is more connected, more visible, and more progressive than ever before. Roads are expanding, airports are operational, digital systems are improving, tourism is flourishing, healthcare indicators are improving, and the aspirations of ordinary citizens are rising. These changes did not happen automatically; they required leadership, coordination, and long-term vision.

As responsible citizens, we must evaluate leadership not only through political narratives or social media debates, but through visible developmental works that positively impact people’s lives. The contributions of Chief Minister Pema Khandu towards the modernisation and growth of Arunachal deserve recognition and appreciation from every citizen who genuinely wishes progress and prosperity for our state.

Bage Kamsi,

H Sector, Itanagar