Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Friday, in principle agreed to allot two plots of land for construction of an Arunachal Pradesh guesthouse following a request to this effect from Chief Minister Kalikho Pul.
Pul called on Jung, who also heads the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), at Raj Bhawan here for assistance in deputing a nodal officer to help identify and allot two plots of land, each measuring 8,000 square metres in north and south Delhi for construction of the guesthouse, which would be an extension to Arunachal Bhawan, according to an official statement.
The current Arunachal Bhawan is located on Kautilya Marg at Chankayapuri.
Pul said the new building would benefit students from poor families who are unable to afford decent accommodation in the national capital. Also it would benefit aspirants of civil services and other competitive examinations for their stay in New Delhi and facilitate access to good coaching institutes.
He mentioned that several aspirants from a poor economic background had to abandon their preparatory studies midway as they could not afford the cost of living in the national capital.
Further, the chief minister said the guesthouse would be of help to patients coming to New Delhi for seeking advanced and specialised medical care.
Also officials of the Arunachal government have to visit New Delhi regularly to attend development meetings and for follow-up of government programmes. In the absence of adequate accommodation in the national capital, several officials had to find accommodation in hotels, Pul said.
He told Jung that while there is an Arunachal Bhawan at Chanakyapuri for visitors to stay, the available space is proving to be insufficient to accommodate large numbers of visitors.
The chief minister said upon allocation of land, the state government would immediately start the construction work for the guesthouse. The new guesthouse will be equipped with proper reception and lodging facilities with Wi-Fi connectivity, canteen, cafeteria and 24-hour water and electricity supply.
Pul also invited Jung to visit Arunachal Pradesh.
State Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin, who accompanied the chief minister, apprised Jung about the development initiatives being taken by the chief minister and the policies being unveiled to make the state investor-friendly.
--IANS
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