HT Bureau
NAMSAI, July 24: In a major recognition of sustainable and people-centric urban development, the Urban Development Division of Aalo in West Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, has been conferred the prestigious FICCI Urban Innovation Award 2025 under the category of Innovative Urban Infrastructure for its Puak Ghat Riverfront Development Project. The announcement was made during the 8th Edition of the Urban Challenge Summit & Awards Ceremony, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), at Federation House, New Delhi, on Thursday.
According to an official statement, the Puak Ghat project, which was shortlisted among the top three entries out of 80 nominations received from across India, was awarded the Jury Mention in the Smart Public Spaces category. The accolade recognises excellence in urban innovation and integrated planning to enhance public infrastructure and quality of life.
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The award was received by Executive Engineer of the Aalo Urban Development Division, Hali Welly, who spearheaded the planning and execution of the transformative project. The summit, held under the theme ‘Innovate, Integrate, Sustain’, saw participation from urban planners, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the country.
Constructed near the confluence of the Yomgo and Sipu rivers, the Puak Ghat Riverfront Development Project was envisioned as a multipurpose public space that converts a previously unstable and unhygienic riverbank into a clean, accessible, and eco-friendly recreational zone. Inaugurated on December 2, 2024, by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the project was executed at an estimated cost of ₹4.95 crore.
Key features of the project include a modern cafeteria, well-maintained parks, open-air gyms, scenic pedestrian walkways, parking zones, public utility services, street illumination, and a 250-meter reinforced cement concrete (RCC) retaining wall designed to prevent riverbank erosion and seasonal flooding.
The initiative, as highlighted in the official statement, has had a significant impact on the local ecosystem and urban environment. It has led to a 70 percent reduction in illegal parking, encouraged community well-being through the promotion of fitness and green spaces, supported local business activities, and created new income-generating opportunities through enhanced tourism prospects.
Executive Engineer Hali Welly was also credited for successfully navigating multiple challenges throughout the project’s implementation phase. These included fluctuating river levels during the monsoon season, disruptions caused by elections, local land-related disputes, and landslides affecting transportation and logistics.
The recognition by FICCI is not only a testament to the division’s commitment to sustainable urban development but also positions the Puak Ghat Riverfront as a replicable model for integrated public space design in small towns and ecologically sensitive regions.
The Urban Development Department of Arunachal Pradesh has welcomed the award as a moment of pride and validation of its efforts to bring long-term, inclusive benefits to citizens while preserving natural resources.
The FICCI Urban Innovation Awards are among India’s most respected recognitions in the field of urban development, aimed at celebrating exemplary models that blend innovation, infrastructure, and inclusive growth in the urban sector.
