Khandu asks engineers to focus on projects that benefit society

Itanagar, Sep 15 (IANS) The Arunachal Pradesh government has decentralized the planning process of forwarding schemes and projects to the District Planning Committees to usher development in real sense, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said here on Sunday.

Addressing the 52nd Engineers Day here, Khandu reiterated the staunch commitment of his government to put a halt to all individual centric schemes and projects and take up only those that are beneficial to the society as a whole.

"All projects, once started, will be geotagged to be monitored remotely and avoid duplicity. This will bring in transparency, curb corruption and usher development in real sense," he said.

Stating that hurdles like unavailability of internet services at all places, the Chief Minister expressed hope that once implemented there won't be any unfinished, half-finished, over-the-budget and prolonged projects in the state.

Lauding the contribution of engineers in building the state, Khandu urged them to deliver to the optimum and assured the government's full cooperation.

"You (Engineers) have a government in place with will power as well as political will, which is ready to back you when required. You need not fear anybody. Be committed to your responsibilities and do not compromise with development of the state," he beckoned.

Khandu appreciated the theme for this year's celebration 'Engineering for Change', which he said is urgently needed for Arunachal Pradesh.

Calling for change in planning, designing and use of technology specific to the geological conditions for creating infrastructure, Khandu, however, pointed that first the change should come from within.

"Yes we need change in knowledge and technology but first we need change in our mindset. Without changing our old mindset and the thought process, nothing will change," he said.

While welcoming new technologies, Khandu advised engineers to also study and learn from traditional methods of constructions that have withstood time and nature.

"This bridge was built in the 1450s by Lama Chaksam Wangpo and it is fabled that 108 similar bridges were built by him in the entire region. The said bridge is still serving its purpose!" he informed.

The Chief Minister further advocated that creating infrastructure should not be at the cost of environment and cultural identity of the state. He in fact suggested incorporating traditional architectural designs in constructing public buildings and other structures.