ITANAGAR, Sep 15: Chief Minister Pema Khandu while speaking today at the 52nd Engineers’ Day (26th in Arunachal) celebrations here, reiterated that his government is fully committed to put a halt to all ‘individual’ centric schemes and projects and take up only those that are truly beneficial to the society as a whole.
While urging the engineers of all work departments to discourage schemes that are pushed by individuals and forward only those actually needed by the community, village or society, Khandu said that the process of decentralized planning has already been set in motion to bring transparency, curb corruption and usher development. Admitting the hurdles like unavailability of internet services at all places, he however expressed optimism that once implemented there won’t be any unfinished, half-finished, over-the-budget and prolonged projects and there will also be compulsory geo-tagging to avoid duplicity. Lauding the contribution of engineers in building the state, Khandu urged them to deliver the optimum and assured government’s full cooperation in this regard, besides appreciating the theme for this year’s celebration-Engineering for Change.
Calling for a change in planning, designing and use of technology specific to the geological conditions for creating infrastructure, Khandu however pointed that change should first come in mindset. While welcoming new technologies, Khandu also advised engineers to study and learn from the traditional methods of constructions that have withstood time and nature. He gave an example of the iron-chain linked suspension bridge at Chaksam near Mogto village over Tawangchu River in Tawang district which was built in 1450s by Lama Chaksam Wangpo. Infrastructures must come up, but not at the cost of environment and cultural identity of the state, he stressed. Responding to a three-point memorandum submitted by the Arunachal Pradesh Engineer Service Association (APESA), organizers of the function, Khandu assured he would take up the issues with the Chief Secretary and do the necessary. The demands include complete halt on functional posts and conduction of DPCs on time, appointment of eligible senior engineers as Head (Secretary) of all work departments and creation of the post of Engineer-in-Chief where more than one Chief Engineer exists at present. Minister for RWD, Honchum Ngandam and Minister for PHE&WS Wangki Lowang called for innovation and sincerity on the part of engineers to develop the state at right earnest. Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar while terming the engineers as epicenter of life, assured his 24x7 availability for any issue or work. Chief Engineer (SID&P), PWD, Dr Atop Lego made a presentation on the theme ‘Engineering for Change’ calling for adoption of newer technologies. Former Chief Engineer Tomi Ete, who retired as Secretary (PHE&WS) in 2014 said that half of the problems would be solved if engineers implement the knowledge gained from their respective degree courses in letter and spirit on the ground. 

Headed by APESA President Pura Tupe and Secretary General K Perme, Engineers’ Day celebration also included a symposium on this year’s theme which was participated by engineers of all work departments and students of various institutes with Resource Persons coming from NERIST, NIT and RGU. CMO

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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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