Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lieutenant General K.T. Parnaik (Retd) said on Friday, 16 October that improved connectivity across the state would simultaneously strengthen national security and raise living standards for residents, including those in the most remote border villages. The remarks came as Parnaik chaired a high-level coordination meeting at Lok Bhavan, Itanagar, bringing together the Army, the Indian Air Force (IAF), the State Information Technology Department, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

What the Meeting Was About

The coordination meeting, initiated by Governor Parnaik himself, was specifically convened to chart a unified strategy for expanding telecommunication infrastructure across Arunachal Pradesh, with a sharp focus on remote and border areas. Senior representatives from Eastern Air Command, Headquarters 3 Corps and Headquarters 4 Corps of the Army, BSNL, and state government officials participated in the discussions.

The Governor underlined the complementary roles that defence forces, BSNL, and the state government must play in overcoming the unique geographical and infrastructural obstacles the state presents — a terrain that has historically made last-mile connectivity one of the most difficult challenges in the country.

Key Directives from the Governor

Governor Parnaik called upon all stakeholders to work collaboratively within the framework of the Vibrant Villages Programme, aligning their resources, infrastructure, and technical expertise toward a shared objective. He stressed that a collective and coordinated approach was essential to avoid duplication of efforts, optimise available resources, and accelerate the rollout of connectivity.

He also encouraged all parties to maintain regular communication and openly share operational requirements, identifying areas where infrastructure, technical capabilities, and logistical support could be pooled for mutual benefit. His emphasis was on a practical, solution-oriented approach with clearly defined areas of responsibility and structured follow-up mechanisms.

Air Force Asked to Support BSNL Equipment Transport

In a notable directive, Governor Parnaik recalled the assurance given by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of Eastern Air Command regarding the IAF's commitment to supporting the people of Arunachal Pradesh. He specifically advised the Air Force to assist BSNL in transporting equipment required to set up telecommunication towers in locations that are otherwise inaccessible by road.

This represents a practical convergence of military logistics and civilian digital infrastructure — a model that could prove significant for other border states facing similar terrain challenges.

Digital India and Border Villages

The Governor emphasised advancing the national vision of Digital India, stressing that even the most remote border villages must become active participants in the country's digital transformation. He stated that reliable telecommunication is 'no longer a luxury but an essential service' connecting people with education, healthcare, government services, livelihood opportunities, and the wider digital economy.

This meeting comes amid a broader national emphasis on border-area development, and Arunachal Pradesh — sharing a sensitive frontier with China — remains central to both connectivity and strategic security planning. With multi-agency coordination now formalised, the next phase will test whether these commitments translate into measurable expansion of network coverage across the state's most underserved regions.