ITANAGAR, 4 Oct: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has assured the Ramakrishna Mission of continued state government support to strengthen the institution's healthcare and education initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh. The CM gave this assurance after inaugurating a dedicated 33kV power substation and the Vivekananda Bhavan Phase-II staff quarters at Ramakrishna Mission Hospital (RKMH) here on Sunday.

The new staff quarters will accommodate around 18 staff members, while the dedicated power substation has been established specifically for the hospital.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM recalled the long association of the Ramakrishna Mission with Arunachal Pradesh, beginning with the establishment of its school at Aalo in 1966, followed by the Ramakrishna Mission at Narottam Nagar, and subsequently the hospital at Itanagar in 1978-79.

Khandu noted that generations of students educated at RKM institutions have gone on to occupy important positions in public life and government service, particularly those who studied at the Aalo and Narottam Nagar institutions.

Highlighting the state government's efforts to expand the Mission's educational footprint, Khandu said he had recently urged the Ramakrishna Mission authorities to enter the field of higher education in Arunachal Pradesh.

He said that, following discussions with the Mission leadership, in-principle approval had been accorded for two colleges, one at Aalo and another at Narottam Nagar. "The government is exploring the possibility of starting the institutions using existing infrastructure so that the initiative can be operationalized at the earliest," he said.

The CM also appreciated the Ramakrishna Mission for establishing its educational institution at Lamdung in East Kameng district, saying it would help address the gap in quality education in western Arunachal Pradesh.

Khandu said the upcoming 200-bed expansion of Ramakrishna Mission Hospital would make a significant contribution to healthcare delivery in the state.

He highlighted the rapid expansion of Arunachal Pradesh's healthcare infrastructure, including the establishment of TRIHMS, where MBBS intake has increased from the initial 50 seats to 100 seats over the last two years.

"The state is also preparing to establish a second medical college at Namsai, with construction expected to begin shortly, while a third medical college in the West Kameng-Tawang region, with an intake capacity of around 150 students, is being planned under the PPP mode."

Khandu said an investor delegation from Delhi was scheduled to visit the proposed site and hold discussions with the concerned department.

Responding to the hospital's requirement for a dedicated water supply, the CM said the matter had been marked to the concerned department for processing and funding. He cited the dedicated water supply arrangement created for TRIHMS and said a similar solution for RKM Hospital would be pursued once the proposal reached the appropriate stage.

Khandu also said the rapid urbanization of Itanagar-Naharlagun necessitated advance planning for water infrastructure. He said the state had already prepared and submitted a proposal to the government of India for a major water supply project for the capital region and that efforts would be made to take it forward at the earliest.

The CM took note of the poor condition of the existing staff and doctors' quarters at the hospital, many of which date back to the 1970s and 1980s. He said the Ramakrishna Mission had already submitted a DPR to the state government for replacement of the ageing infrastructure and assured that he would take up the matter with the planning department. Khandu said the government would work towards approving the first phase at the earliest so that construction could commence.

Home minister Mama Natung, MLAs Pani Taram and Jikke Tako, vice president of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Rev Swami Suhitananda Ji Maharaj, secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Hospital Rev Swami Vedassaranandaji Maharaj, secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Narottamnagar, Rev Swami Achyuteshanandaji Maharaj, among others, were present on the occasion. (CMO)