Itanagar, Aug 11: Chief Minister Pema Khandu today laid the foundation stone for Phase-II of the Housing Redevelopment Project in four sectors of the capital city— P-Sector, C-Sector, B-Sector, and Niti Vihar. 
The ceremony was attended by Minister (Urban Affairs) Balo Raja, his Advisor MLA Techi Kaso, Vivek Pandey, Commissioner (Urban Affairs), Sonam Chombey, Commissioner to CM, Nyali Ete Secretary (Urban Affairs), among others.
Phase-II involves the construction of 116 modern flats — including 48 Type-II units, 66 Type-III units, and 2 Type-V units — replacing 42 old and dilapidated type-III quarters. The flats will be built in G+3 format with ground floor parking, seismic-resilient design, organized green spaces, better waste management systems, and enclosed compounds to promote community integration. The project will be implemented by the Urban Development Department at a cost of ₹80 crore and is targeted for completion by 30th April 2027.
In his address, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that the redevelopment of government housing colonies is a key step towards transforming the capital into a modern, well-planned city. He recalled the inauguration of the A-Sector multi-storey housing complex on 31st May 2025 as the beginning of his vision to replace unsafe, outdated structures with safe and comfortable homes. 
“Housing is not only for our employees, but affordable housing for the masses is also our priority. Every flat we build must be earthquake-resilient, safe, and dignified,” the Chief Minister emphasized.  Khandu also gave stern message to the encroachers of government land and properties that none would be spared, and every encroacher must face legal actions as per the laws/rules of the land, whose actions are impending.  He also assured for similar housing complexes for other departments in the State. 
The CM directed the department to move proposals for early creation of the required manpower and for upgradation of the Directorate immediately, for which he assured for full support from his government being an important organ of the system.  He also underscored the need to give land allotment of all such govt. qtrs. in the name of Director(Housing) with immediate effect, for which the Department has to move proposals.
Earlier on the day, Balo Raja, Minister (Urban Affairs) highlighted the urgent need to protect government land from encroachments during the redevelopment process. He urged the creation of adequate posts to safeguard all 33 sectors in the ICR and called for the establishment of a full-fledged Directorate of Housing with manpower and resources to manage housing in both the Capital Region and all census towns of Arunachal Pradesh. He also stressed the importance of maintaining quality in construction and taking strict action against government employees who indulge in encroachment, in line with the newly approved General Pool Quarter Allotment Guidelines.  
The Minister also urged for dealing the pending issues especially related to encroachments through Fast-Track courts for early settlements of the long pending issue in the larger interest of the State.  He also advised the CE(UD) to undertake frequent field visits to all the districts, wherever such residential projects are being executed through the Department to ensure for timely completion vis-à-vis maintaining its qualities.
Commissioner (Urban Affairs) Vivek Pandey underlined the success of the Phase-I pilot project and its timely completion. He noted that Phase-II will not only provide better living spaces but also help in preventing illegal land occupation, improving urban planning, increasing land-use efficiency, and creating land banks for future development. He further appealed for legal and administrative support to tackle pending court cases related to encroachment, suggesting the engagement of advocates for time-bound disposal and conviction of offenders.
The Chief Minister commended the Urban Development Department team led by the Minister-in-charge & the Chief Engineer Taring Darang for the quality of work in Phase-I and expressed confidence that Phase-II will meet even higher standards. “Urban transformation requires planning, discipline, and execution. Together, we will make Itanagar a city we are all proud to call home,” the Chief Minister concluded.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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