GUWAHATI: Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who is on a two-day visit to the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh, has pledged to set up three Sainik Schools in the state and consider setting up of an airport at Dirang as wanted by the armed forces.
The Defence Minister also assured that the IAF infrastructure facilities in the Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs) in Arunachal Pradesh shall be permitted for civilian use.
The Defence Minister arrived in Arunachal Pradesh on a two-day visit on Saturday leading a high-level team of the Defence Ministry comprising the Secretary Defence, GoC-in-C (Eastern Command), GoC of Corp 3 and Corp 4, and other officers.
She chaired a high-level meeting with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday, which was also attended by the Union MoS Home Kiren Rijjiju, Arunachal Minister Land Management Nabam Rebial. Earlier on the day, Sitharaman inaugurated the Buddha Mahotsav at Bomdila in West Kameng.
An official source informed that the Defence Minister gave an in-principle approval for establishment of three Sainik Schools – one each in Tawang, Pasighat and Tirap-Changlang-Longding (TCL) belt – in Arunachal Pradesh while the proposal for establishment of an airport at Dirang in the state was also discussed as the armed forces evinced a strong interest in the proposal.
Pema Khandu urged for establishment of a cantonment in the capital area of Itanagar, for which necessary land is to be acquired. The Defence Minister assured the CM that this would be accorded high priority. It was decided that the Minister, Land Management will help in identification of a suitable contiguous land of 500 acres and immediately thereafter the defence ministry officials will undertake a joint survey and submit report to MoD.
Khandu also raised the issue of need for land for expansion of frontier monastery township of Tawang and urged the Defence Minister to consider freeing up some idle land in the vicinity of the garrison township.
In response, Sitharaman directed the GOC-in-C, Eastern Command to look into this matter favourably and submit a report urgently after consulting the district administration and government officials.
Khandu asked for expeditious operationalisation of the Brigade headquarters in Tirap district bordering Myanmar so as to deal with the problem of insurgency in the region. Sitharaman assured that the brigade headquarter would be operational by December 2018.
On the issue of strengthening the strategically important Balipara-Charduar-Tawang road, she assured that the BRO would be given clear directions for fast tracking its upgradation and all necessary funds would be provided for maintenance as well.
She also assured that requisite funds shall be released for conducting survey for laying the strategic railway line from Missamari (Assam) to Tawang.