2 weeks ago
Arunachal border villages emerging as tourism, livelihood hubs: Khandu
On a special day called Independence Day, the leader of a big state in India made an important speech.
His name is Pema Khandu, and he is the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh.
He said that villages near the border of the country are becoming new places for tourists to visit.
The government is building roads and other facilities so people in these villages can earn a living.
He also talked about hydropower, which means making electricity using the force of rivers.
Arunachal Pradesh wants to build many hydropower projects so India can get clean energy.
One big project, called Subansiri Lower, has already started producing electricity for people.
The state is also helping women start businesses and working to make schools better for children.
Floods recently hurt some people in the region, and the Chief Minister said the government is helping them recover.
He promised that development should reach everyone, no matter how far they live.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh's border villages are emerging as tourism, livelihood and local enterprise hubs under the Vibrant Village Programme.
Phase-I of the Vibrant Village Programme covers projects worth about Rs 2,800 crore in 455 villages along the India-Tibet (China) border, with 122 villages added in Phase-II.
Arunachal Pradesh declared 2025-2035 as the Decade of Hydropower, targeting nearly 19 GW of capacity with about Rs 1.9 lakh crore in investments.
The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project has operationalised four of its eight generating units, producing 1,000 MW of clean energy.
PM Narendra Modi's September 22, 2025 Itanagar visit dedicated projects worth over Rs 5,100 crore, including foundation stones for Tato-I and Heo hydroelectric projects.
- Who
- Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, who also credited PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for support.
- What
- Delivered the 80th Independence Day address highlighting the Vibrant Village Programme, hydropower development, women's self-help groups, education reforms and flood relief.
- Where
- Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
- When
- On Saturday, on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day.
- Why
- To showcase the state government's development agenda for remote border areas, clean energy goals and last-mile connectivity, and to address challenges from floods and difficult terrain.
Key facts
- Vibrant Village Programme Phase-I
- Projects worth about Rs 2,800 crore in 455 villages along the India-Tibet (China) border
- Vibrant Village Programme Phase-II
- 122 villages along the India-Myanmar and India-Bhutan borders included
- Hydropower target
- Nearly 19 GW during the 2025-2035 Decade of Hydropower, with about Rs 1.9 lakh crore investment
- Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project
- Four of eight units operational, producing 1,000 MW; described as India's largest hydropower project
- Approved hydro projects
- Kamala (1,720 MW) and Kalai-II (1,200 MW) with about Rs 40,175 crore investment approved
- Women's self-help groups
- Over 1.5 lakh women organised into more than 16,000 SHGs
- Education investment
- Rs 3,112.50 crore for Mission Shikshit Arunachal Phase-I and Rs 500 crore for Golden Jubilee Schools
- Flood relief
- Rs 44.55 crore advance released under the State Disaster Response Fund for flood-affected areas
Quotes
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu
Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh
“Guided by this vision, we declared 2025-2035 as the Decade of Hydropower, with a target of commissioning nearly 19 GW of hydropower capacity, supported by investments of approximately Rs 1.9 lakh crore.”
thehansindia.com
“Nature has tested us once again, bringing immense challenges to our communities, disrupting lives, livelihoods and vital infrastructure.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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