In a significant review of defence infrastructure development in the Northeast, Shri A. K. Pandey, IDSE, Chief Engineer, Military Engineer Services (MES), Siliguri Zone, conducted his maiden official visit to the Area of Responsibility (AOR) under Headquarters Commander Works Engineers (CWE), Tezpur, including Garrison Engineer (GE), Missamari, after assuming charge earlier this month.
During the visit, the Chief Engineer inspected several high-value capital projects aimed at enhancing operational infrastructure for the Armed Forces across Assam. Reviewing ongoing works at Tamulpur, Changsari, Solmara, and Lokhra, Shri Pandey commended MES engineers for maintaining high standards of construction quality while ensuring timely progress.
At each project location, he held detailed interactions with the respective Project Management Groups (PMGs), focusing on project execution, infrastructure planning, and future readiness. He recommended a series of design refinements to improve space utilisation, functionality, and long-term operational efficiency of the facilities.
A major highlight of the visit was the inspection of the recently completed 155 Base Hospital and ECHS Polyclinic at Tezpur. Praising the execution teams, Shri Pandey acknowledged their achievement in delivering world-class healthcare infrastructure despite the challenging terrain and logistics of the Northeast. The projects have earned national recognition, with the 155 Base Hospital receiving the prestigious CIDC Vishwakarma Award, while the ECHS building secured a 4-Star GRIHA certification for sustainable construction.
During his tour, Shri Pandey also called on Lieutenant General Neeraj Shukla, AVSM, SM**, General Officer Commanding, 4 Corps, and Major General Amit Dhir, VSM, Chief of Staff, 4 Corps, where discussions focused on strengthening engineering support for operational preparedness in the strategically important Eastern sector.
The MES Headquarters, Chief Engineer Siliguri Zone, oversees the planning, execution, and maintenance of critical defence infrastructure across parts of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Bihar, playing a pivotal role in supporting the operational capability of the Armed Forces in India’s eastern theatre.
A senior officer of the 1993 batch of the Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE), Shri A. K. Pandey holds an M.Tech from IIT Roorkee and brings more than three decades of experience in planning, designing, and executing complex defence infrastructure projects, including specialised operational facilities and strategically significant military assets. His leadership is expected to accelerate the delivery of modern, resilient, and mission-ready infrastructure across the Eastern Command, reinforcing India’s defence preparedness in one of its most sensitive regions.
(Inputs from PRO Defence Tezpur)
