Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Biyuram Wahge, has affirmed the state government’s full commitment to bolstering the medical infrastructure within the Longding district.
This assurance was given during a recent inspection of the district hospital, where the minister personally assessed the existing facilities and potential areas for improvement.
During his visit, Minister Wahge, who also holds the responsibility of guardian minister for the Tirap, Changlang, and Longding (TCL) districts, commended the dedicated work of District Medical Officer Dr. Dilip Dutta. He specifically acknowledged Dr. Dutta’s effective management of available resources. A significant highlight of the visit was the inauguration of a newly established district drug warehouse, which is expected to streamline the supply and storage of essential medicines.
Beyond healthcare, Minister Wahge extended his engagements to other crucial sectors within the district. He visited the Kanubari Water Resources Department Executive Engineer’s (WRD EE) office, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to understanding the developmental landscape. Subsequently, he presided over a significant District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) meeting. The primary objective of this meeting was to meticulously evaluate the progress of various ongoing developmental projects across Longding. Minister Wahge stressed the critical need to proactively identify and address any obstacles that are currently impeding the timely completion of these projects. He urged local officials to maintain open communication and keep him informed of any challenges encountered, assuring them of his willingness to escalate these issues to the relevant state and central authorities for swift resolution.
Adding his perspective to the discussions, Agriculture and Allied Minister Gabriel D Wangsu underscored the fundamental role of land availability in facilitating infrastructure development. He pointed out the unique challenges faced by Longding due to instances of unplanned constructions and the absence of comprehensive town planning. Minister Wangsu advocated for greater coordination and synergy among government officials and elected representatives, suggesting that they should look to and adopt best practices successfully implemented in other constituencies within the state.
Further emphasizing strategic alignment, Mentor Secretary Taru Talo called upon all departments to ensure that their respective projects are in complete harmony with the Chief Minister’s comprehensive 25-point action plan. This action plan is strategically structured under six key development themes, providing a clear roadmap for progress. Secretary Talo encouraged a focused and concerted effort to achieve tangible results in the implementation of various centrally-sponsored schemes, highlighting their importance in the overall development of the district.
Connectivity emerged as a key concern, with MLA Thangwang Wangham making a strong appeal for the early approval of the vital Longding-Bonia highway project. He emphasized the crucial role this infrastructure would play in improving accessibility and fostering economic growth in the region. In a more sensitive matter, MLA Honchun Ngandam voiced serious reservations regarding the proposed Indo-Myanmar border fencing. He expressed deep concern that the fencing could potentially lead to the loss of traditional jhum land, which is integral to the livelihoods of many local communities, and could also compromise India’s territorial integrity. He passionately urged that this critical issue be urgently brought to the attention of the Union Home Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office for thorough consideration.
The DLMC meeting also served as a platform to highlight several other pressing challenges facing the district. These included the persistent issue of water scarcity, a significant shortage of essential human resources across various departments, and the lack of adequate and proper accommodation facilities for government personnel serving in Longding. Detailed presentations outlining these challenges were delivered by the Deputy Commissioner and various heads of departments, providing a comprehensive understanding of the ground realities.
The comprehensive review meeting witnessed the participation of several key stakeholders, underscoring the collective commitment to Longding’s development. Notable attendees included MLA Hayeng Mangfi, Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) Marge Sora, Zilla Parishad Chairperson (ZPC) Lohpong Wangham, Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs), and a host of senior government officials representing various departments.
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