Union defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday reviewed the situation and defence infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh with chief minister Pema Khandu and senior Army officials.
Sitharaman had a high level meeting with chief minister Khandu and MoS home Kiren Rijjiju, state land management minister Nabam Rebia along with other state government officials.
Sitharaman is on a maiden visit to Arunachal Pradesh. She will be visiting the forward areas bordering Myanmar.
While reviewing the situation besides defence infrastructure, the defence minister promised that the Indian Air Force infrastructural facilities in the Advanced Landing Grounds shall be permitted for civilian use.
She also assured that requisite funds will be released for conducting survey for laying the strategic railway line from Assam’s Missamari to Tawang.
On the issue of strengthening strategic Balipara-Charduar-Tawang road, Sitharaman said the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) would be given clear directions for fast tracking its upgradation and all necessary funds would be provided for maintenance as well.
The defence minister informed CM Khandu that the system of functioning of BRO has been completely restructured with greater autonomy and delegation of powers for faster implementation.
During the meeting, Khandu impressed upon the need to expedite the operationalisation of the Brigade headquarters in Tirap district so as to deal with the problem of insurgency in the region. Sitharaman assured Khandu that the brigade headquarter would be made operational by December 2018.
Describing the visit of Sitharaman to Arunachal as a “landmark and historic visit”, Khandu raised the urgent need to establish a cantonment in the capital area of Itanagar, for which necessary land would be acquired. The defence minister assured the Chief Minister that this would be accorded high priority.
Earlier, the defence minister inaugurated the Buddha Mahotsav at Bomdila in West Kameng district.
