OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: From speeding up work on new roads and bridges promising all-weather connectivity, Arunachal Pradesh has ramped up its infrastructure development mission during 2021 with an adequate push from the Centre.
Though the objective is to counter an aggressive China, the central push has immensely benefitted the border state with several bridges, airbases, including the Greenfield Airport project at Hollongi, and with several other key road networks being developed in strategically key areas of the State.
The expansionist strategy of Beijing was witnessed in October when a face-off between the Indian and Chinese soldiers was reported from the Tawang sector. The face-off took place due to differences in perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The engagement between the two sides lasted for a few hours and was resolved as per the existing protocols.
According to a report, around 200 Chinese soldiers crossed into the strategic Tawang sector from Tibet and attempted to damage unoccupied bunkers. Tawang has traditionally remained a friction point between India and China. In the 1962 war, China had captured Tawang within the first few days. It had laid claim on Tawang as part of a larger Tibet while claiming Arunachal Pradesh as southern Tibet. The historical significance of Tawang stems from the fact that it is the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama and is an important seat in Tibetan Buddhism after Lhasa.
Reportedly, China had built a second village (cluster of at least 60 buildings) in the State, approximately 6 km within India, according to media reports. According to reports, the Chinese enclave within the Shi Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh was constructed between March 2019 and February 2021.
Earlier in November, the US Department of Defense's report confirmed that in 2020, China built a large 100-home civilian village in a piece of "disputed territory" between the Chinese Tibet Autonomous Region and Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern sector of the LAC.
With no let-up in the India-China border tension, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, as part of its Indo-China Border Roads (ICBR) projects, has awarded six road stretches in Arunachal Pradesh to the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) on a nomination basis, at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 5,000 crore during the year. The length of the six stretches is around 100 km and work is expected to take two years to complete. 2021 also remained a roller coaster year as the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit the state. The north-eastern State, however, sustained the challenge posed by the virus, resulting in fewer people being affected due to timely intervention of the State government. The virus also prompted the State government to rejuvenate the health sector by developing health infra and other supports.
In one of the most significant initiatives on climate change, the State cabinet on November 13, adopted the Pakke Declaration aimed at "climate-resilient development" in the State. The declaration is the first of its kind by any state government in the country. Chief Minister Pema Khandu called the declaration a "historic and significant milestone" during the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'– an initiative of the Centre to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of Independence. The declaration envisages a multi-sectoral approach towards low emission and climate-resilient development through five broad themes, or the Panch Dharas - environment, forest and climate change; health and well being of all; sustainable and adaptive living; livelihoods and opportunities and evidence generation and collaborative action.
In terms of governance, the State government pushed hard for the growth of digital infrastructure. Earlier in August, Chief Minister Pema Khandu launched the centrally-funded statewide area network (SWAN), which would provide secure digital connectivity to all the district headquarters and local administrative centres across the State. The State cabinet meetings have also gone paperless with the launch of the e-Cabinet portal.
In a bid to boost the State's economy through agriculture and horticulture, the State cabinet in August approved two credit-linked schemes, which would facilitate Rs 300 crore investments in the agro-based sectors. The Arunachal Pradesh government also dedicated 2021 as the 'Year of Education' with a planned investment of Rs 1,000 crore for the sector.
In May, Flybig's first flight arrived at the Pasighat airport in the East Siang district from Guwahati. The State tourism department in April hosted the 12-day 'Trans-Arunachal Drive 2021' from Namsai to Tawang, an initiative to boost adventure tourism.
In August, the State government signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) for setting up a 90-megawatt project in Tawang and another 120 MW plant in West Kameng.
Notably, tragedy also struck the State during the year 2021 as a total of 187 insurgency-related incidents were reported in the state along with 11 militants of various factions of rebel groups killed.
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