On infrastructure creation on the border
Earlier, we were deprived of the border infrastructure as the government of India’s policy was not to build permanent infrastructure there. It was the UPA government that took a policy decision to build infrastructure. It was only in 2008 that the PM’s special package of Rs 24,000 crore was announced for Arunachal Pradesh. Now, the cost of the projects under that package has gone up to Rs 36,000 crore. The package was mostly for connectivity, including trans-Arunachal highways connecting all district headquarters, and also connectivity near the international border [with China].
That will connect many of the habitations in border areas. It will also be useful for our armed forces and the movement of big machinery for hydroelectric projects that are expected to come up in the river basins. Also, the construction of advanced landing grounds at places such as Pasighat, Tezu, Ziro, Along, Mechuka and Vijay Nagar will increase connectivity. Those will be used both by military and civilians. I am hopeful that the projects under the 2008 package will be completed in another three to four years.
On the need for horizontal roads in the border areas to prevent migration of people into urban parts of the state
In September, we took two important cabinet decisions. First, we decided to approach the Centre to construct an industrial corridor connecting major habitations in the foothill areas — from Derapani in West Kameng district to Ruksing in East Siang district. The other decision was regarding the need for a road connecting all border habitations — right from Thingbu in Tawang district to Vijay Nagar in Changlang district. The Centre has recently expressed its desire to build a horizontal border road. This is in line with our Cabinet decision. The road will stop migration of the people living in border areas to the towns. Our administration has been extending housing, health and education schemes in those areas. Keeping in mind the extreme conditions in border areas, we have recently taken a decision to give free rice [up to 10 kg a month] for the people living in the border areas, as there is less economic activity there. I admit, migration has been happening, but it has not taken alarming proportions as yet. The main concern is that youths belonging to those areas are coming down to the urban areas.
On the BJP government at the Centre
I don’t see any difficulty in getting our due despite there being a BJP government at the Centre. I hope the spirit of democracy is maintained. The Centre must treat all states equally irrespective of the party in power in a particular state.
On illicit opium cultivation
We are aware of this menace. In some areas, people have been cultivating opium for their economic sustainability. Some villagers use opium for medicinal purposes. But we are now giving them alternative means of livelihood — like ginger, cardamom and other cash crops. I have publicly appealed to the people to stop cultivating opium. But I can’t stop it overnight. It will have to be a gradual process.
On hydroelectric projects
If the government takes the potential of Arunachal’s hydroelectric power seriously, half of the power deficiency in the country will end. It’s unfortunate that some NGOs in Assam have been blocking these projects. In this same valley, China has been building hydroelectric projects. China is building dams on Tsangpo river, which we call Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and Brahmaputra in Assam. They have already commissioned one project. They are building many other projects on the same river. But there are many stumbling blocks in implementing such projects here. The Lower Subansiri project [billed as the largest hydroelectric project in India, when completed], for example, has been suffering for the past three years. The work has been stalled and Rs 10 crore is being lost every day.
