(a) whether Arunachal Pradesh occupies a very critical position in the geo-political
mosaic of the country due to its sharing International Border with three different countries;
(b) if so, whether the Government has considered formulating a specific consolidated
package for the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh;
(c) If so, the details thereof; and
(d) If not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS & PLANNING (SHRI RAJEEV SHUKLA)
(a) : Yes Sir. The State of Arunachal Pradesh shares long international border on three
sides by Bhutan, China and Myanmar and Govt. of India recognizes its importance in the geo-
political mosaic of the country.
(b), (c) & (d): North Eastern Region(NER) is a special focus area of the Government of India.
Development and investment requirements of NER is being addressed through special funding
arrangements like providing Central Plan assistance under the States’ plans on liberal terms,
funding of projects through North Eastern Council, earmarking of at least 10% of the budgetary
support of the Central Ministries for development NER and assistance from Non-Lapsable Central
Pool of Resources(NLCPR) created out of unspent balance of 10% earmarked fund. In addition,
special funding arrangements have been made for taking up projects/ programmes in the specific
areas like remote border villages of NER. In respect of Arunachal Pradesh, important projects
(road, rail, airport projects, border village electrification) have been taken up through various
central agencies under the Prime Minister’s package. Some of these projects are Trans Arunachal
Highway, Railway Line to Naharlagun, 4-lanne highway to Itanagar, Pare Hydroelectric
Project(110 MW), 3000 MW Dibang Hydroelectric project, Greenfield Airport at Itanagar,
development of Tezu Airport, Secretariat building at Itanagar, Electrification of 2061 villages
and upgradation of Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) at Tuting, Mechuka, Pasighat, Along,
Vijaynagar, Walong, Ziro and Tawang.
The above projects are at various stages of implementation. The project of Electrification of
2061 villages and Itanagar water supply project have been completed and a few other projects like
Secretariat building at Itanagar, Railway Line to Naharlagun are nearing completion.