Itanagar, May 19: Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism, Suresh Gopi, on Tuesday visited the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Itanagar campus, and reviewed the status of ongoing infrastructure projects at the institute.
Gopi, who also serves as the President of the FTII & SRFTI Itanagar Society, was received by Arunachal Pradesh Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona, who accompanied him during the inspection. Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering and Director of Information and Public Relations Gijum Tali were also present.
The visit aimed at assessing the infrastructural gaps and pending works at the institute, which would subsequently be taken up with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
At present, the FTII Itanagar campus offers three two-year postgraduate Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programmes in Screen Acting, Screenwriting and Documentary Cinema.
Earlier in 2025, students of the Institute had staged protests over the lack of basic amenities and infrastructure, including the non-availability of facilities such as sound studios and CRTs, which affected their academic curriculum and practical training.
During the inspection, the Union Minister held detailed discussions with officials of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and representatives of M/S Kenge Construction regarding the status of the ongoing projects. He reviewed the Institute’s buildings and facilities and took stock of the challenges affecting timely completion of the infrastructure works.
Taking serious note of the delay in completion of vital infrastructure related to the acting and screenplay departments, Gopi assured that all efforts would be made to expedite the pending works and strengthen the Institute’s infrastructure.
He directed the CPWD to prioritise the completion of the assets and execute the works on a war footing.
Expressing concern over the delay, the Minister remarked that students had already faced difficulties in their curriculum due to the non-completion of essential buildings and facilities.
Speaking on the occasion, Education Minister P D Sona expressed gratitude to the Union Minister for personally visiting the institute and reviewing its infrastructural requirements.
The visit also provided a morale boost to the students, many of whom have been demanding improved infrastructure and timely completion of facilities necessary for their academic and professional training.