Itanagar, Feb 20: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu declared on Friday that hydropower will drive the state’s next economic transformation, with projects worth around Rs 2 lakh crore poised to launch in the coming years.

Speaking at the Statehood Day celebrations in IG Park, Khandu announced 2025-2035 as the ‘Decade of Hydropower,’ emphasizing its pivotal role in the state’s future. “Currently, 1.2 GW of projects are operational and 4.8 GW under construction. The 2,000-MW Subansiri Lower Project is set for completion this year, while the 2,880-MW Dibang Project targets 2032,” he said.

These initiatives are projected to generate Rs 4,000 crore annually and create over 30,000 direct jobs plus 16,000 indirect ones.

Khandu highlighted the state’s rich resources, noting auctions of coal and mineral blocks like graphite, with more surveys underway. He added that Arunachal has evolved from a frontier economy into one of India’s fastest-growing states.

Since 2015, the Gross State Domestic Product has surged 166%, per capita income by over 105%, and the state budget by 218%. Road infrastructure has expanded 251%, with 4,060 km of national highways under construction and Rs 55,000 crore committed for frontier highways.

In healthcare, a Rs 3,666 crore expansion is underway. Education reforms via ‘Mission Shikshit Arunachal 2029’ include Rs 750 crore investments, school upgrades, hostels, AI monitoring, and India’s first 3D-printed classrooms.