Kibithoo, Arunachal Pradesh — In a historic and symbolic move, the Arunachal Pradesh state cabinet held its latest session under the Cabinet AapkeDwar initiative in Kibithoo, one of India’s easternmost villages. Surrounded by the picturesque hills of Anjaw district, the setting offered more than just a scenic backdrop—it underscored the government’s message of inclusive governance, last-mile delivery, and strategic focus on frontier regions.

Over the course of the session, the cabinet announced a wide range of landmark decisions, poised to redefine Anjaw’s developmental landscape. From tourism and cultural promotion to infrastructure and administrative reforms, the meeting laid out a bold, future-ready roadmap.

Sunrise Festival to Shine a Light on Dong

One of the most culturally significant announcements was the approval in principle of The Sunrise Festival in Dong village, famed for witnessing India’s first sunrise. The festival, envisioned as a curated, multi-day event aligned with New Year celebrations, aims to promote tourism, celebrate indigenous culture, and engage local communities.

Designed to be self-sustaining and professionally managed, the festival is expected to be a major draw for both domestic and international travelers seeking immersive experiences in one of India’s most remote and beautiful corners.

Security First: 200 New Home Guard Posts Sanctioned

In a decisive step to enhance law enforcement and emergency preparedness, the cabinet approved the creation of 200 voluntary Home Guard posts under the newly framed Home Guards Rules, 2023. These posts will help bridge manpower gaps in policing, particularly in underserved districts, and serve at critical points such as highways, public centers, and disaster-prone zones.

This move is also aimed at empowering local youth and strengthening grassroots-level community policing—a critical need in border areas like Anjaw.

Infrastructure Push: Offices, Roads, and Water Supply

The cabinet greenlit a series of administrative and infrastructure upgrades in Anjaw district:

• The Walong Circle Office (CO) will be upgraded to an Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) Headquarters.
• The newly built Secretariat and Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Hawai will be furnished and made fully operational.
• Renovation work on the old DC Office building in Hawai will also begin soon.

On the connectivity front, key road upgrades were announced, including:

• A 9 km CC pavement road from Urban Gate to various colonies and offices,
• Road links from Khupa-Hayuliang Tri-Junction to Tafraliang village,
• A 3 km township road upgrade in Hayuliang, and
• Road improvements from the BRO Road to Tamaladu Ground, Walong.

In addition, the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has been instructed to immediately begin water augmentation projects in Hawai and Hayuliang, while the development of Hu-Tung Gram, a sacred Mishmi heritage site, has also been approved.

Honoring Heritage and Powering the Future

A War Memorial and Museum has been sanctioned at Namti, furthering the government’s efforts to preserve local history and valor.

On the energy front, a 2 MW Ampani Hydro Electric Project will be initiated, marking another step toward sustainable energy development in the region.

In a significant move, the cabinet also revived the 144 MW Gongri Hydroelectric Project under a new Restoration of Terminated Large Hydropower Policy, 2025, and announced a joint venture between the state and NEEPCO to form the NEEPCO Arunachal Hydro Power Corporation Ltd. for implementing five major projects in Shi-Yomi.

To benefit affected communities, the cabinet amended the Local Area Development Fund (LADF) policy to ensure an additional 1% of free power from developers.

Reforms in Governance and Education

The session also marked key strides in governance and civil service reform. A Tripartite Agreement was approved with the Government of India and the Capacity Building Commission under Mission Karmayogi. This aims to deliver targeted training to state government employees to prepare them for evolving administrative challenges.

Deputy Commissioners will now have enhanced powers to suspend erring district officials, a move expected to enforce greater accountability.

The MukhyaMantriViksit Arunachal District Fellowship Program was also launched, which will deploy 35 Fellows and 65 Assistant Fellows to support Deputy Commissioners in implementing the state’s development vision.

In education, a new Teachers’ Transfer and Posting Policy (2025) was approved to replace the outdated 2019–20 version. The new policy will operate through a fully automated Teachers Registry Portal, ensuring transparency and equity. Furthermore, 32 new teaching and non-teaching posts were sanctioned for Arunachal Pradesh University, Pasighat, and new marking scheme rules aligned with NCTE norms were framed for PGT and TGT recruitment.

Civil Services and Administrative Restructuring

The cabinet also approved a long-overdue restructuring of the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service (APCS):

• Secretary-level posts increased from 3 to 8
• Additional Secretary posts rose from 8 to 13
• EACs have been redesignated as Assistant Commissioners, aligning roles with responsibilities

The Personnel Department has been directed to examine cadre-related issues and submit findings within two months.

A Symbolic and Strategic Gathering

The decision to hold the cabinet meeting at Kibithoo was not just logistical—it was symbolic. It signaled the government’s commitment to reaching even the farthest corners of the state. As one of the remotest inhabited areas along the India-China border, Kibithoo stands as a strategic and emotional frontier for the people of Arunachal.

With these wide-ranging decisions, the government has sent a clear message: development will not be confined to urban centers, and governance will be responsive, inclusive, and proactive—no matter how remote the location.

As the sun rises first in Dong, it now seems the dawn of a new era is beginning across Arunachal Pradesh.