Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday said the state has recorded strong economic growth and witnessed major improvements in infrastructure, connectivity, education, healthcare and social welfare over the past decade, creating a solid foundation for its future development.
Speaking to reporters in Itanagar to mark 10 years of his government, Khandu said the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has grown by nearly 149 per cent during the period, while the state budget has increased by more than 238 per cent.
“The state’s own resources have grown more than five-fold, while per capita income has more than doubled, making Arunachal one of the fastest-growing economies in the Northeast,” the chief minister said.
Highlighting the government’s focus on infrastructure development, Khandu said annual road construction has increased from around 300 kilometres in 2016 to nearly 1,800 kilometres. He added that the rural road network has expanded more than three times, while over 4,000 kilometres of national highways are currently under construction across the state.
The chief minister said the Donyi Polo Airport has developed into a major aviation hub with improved connectivity, cargo operations and daily flight services to Delhi. He added that helicopter services now connect more than 25 destinations across Arunachal Pradesh, improving access to remote regions.
Khandu also said that digital connectivity has improved significantly with the installation of more than 2,600 new 4G mobile towers in remote and border areas, helping bridge communication gaps across the state.
Referring to border infrastructure, he said major investments under the Frontier Highway project and the Vibrant Villages Programme are transforming frontier regions. More than 1,000 kilometres of roads are being constructed to connect border habitations, while several villages that were previously inaccessible now have all-weather road connectivity. He said these projects are contributing not only to regional development but also to strengthening national security.
On the education front, Khandu said the government has launched Mission Shikshit Arunachal 2029 to improve the quality of school education. Under the initiative, projects worth Rs 750 crore have been sanctioned for upgrading schools, hostels and related infrastructure.
The chief minister said more than 2,600 students from Arunachal Pradesh qualified the NEET examination in 2025, reflecting improvements in educational outcomes. He added that the state’s academic excellence scheme is supporting students seeking admission to leading universities around the world, while AI-enabled monitoring systems are being introduced in schools to improve learning outcomes.
