Arunachal to get 2710 MW power plant during 11th Plan

Itanagar, Jan 26 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today announced that the Centre has decided to add 2710 MW of power capacity in the state during the 11th Plan period, under the Prime Minister's 50,000 MW hydro-power initiatives.

Unfurling the tri-colour at Indira Gandhi Park here on 59th Republic Day, Mr Khandu declared that the state government had taken several steps in the power sector to achieve the due target.

At present, the state has a total power capacity of 24,087 MW under private power developers (PPDs) and public sector undertakings (PSUs).

He also encouraged participation of local entrepreneurs in the small hydel projects and declared that the government had come up with a policy to exempt the indigenous tribal entrepreneurs from supplying free power up to five mega watt.

Mr Khandu said under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutkaran Yojana (RGGVY) would provide electricity to every village and household in the state by the end of the Plan.

Mr Khandu also stated that the most significant achievement of his government was the revival of sick Cooperative Apex Bank and streamlining of public distribution system.

He further stressed on the need to create infrastructure, remove communication bottlenecks and a tourist friendly policy.

''The seven projects for airports will be completed within the next five years,'' he said, adding the Centre had approved survey for laying broad-gauge railway line from Rupai in Assam to Parsuram Kund to promote tourism.

He said the state had also achieved significant development in the health sector and assured immediate allocation of Rs 32 crore for the early completion of the five-storeyed hospital.

The state government also awarded six gold medals, three silver and twelve commendation certificates to various civil and police officials for the commendable services on the ocassion.

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