Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha on Sunday said proposed Greenfield Airport at Hollongi when completed will be ahead of the recently inaugurated Pakyong Airport of Sikkim.
Addressing the valedictory function of the three-day ATAL (Arunachal Transformational and Aspirational Leaders) Conclave” here in presence of chief minister Pema Khandu on Sunday, Sinha said the Hollongi airport has better topography and larger runway.
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“The proposed 2,200 metre runway at Hollongi can handle jet aircraft that can provide direct flight service to metro cities. On demand, flight services can also be extended to international destinations,” the MoS said adding that the “benefits to come will be beyond one’s imagination”.
The union minister further informed that a ‘bhoomi pujan’ will be held in December this year to begin the work on proposed airport.
DoNER minister Dr Jitendra Singh had also on Friday announced that the foundation stone for the Greenfield airport in Itanagar would be laid by December this year.
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Itanagar is also the only state capital in India have no airport at present.
Sinha informed that about Rs 1,200 Cr will be spent for the project adding that despite the high cost of compensation, the government is determined to start the work.
Informing about the future plans for air connectivity in Arunachal, Sinha assured to knit the entire Arunachal with aviation services in the next 10 years. He informed that under UDAAN Scheme, small and big towns in Arunachal will be connected with helicopter, seaplanes and passenger drone services. He also informed that government is providing subsidy on helicopter services with Rs 2500 for half an hour air travel.
The union minister urged the youths of Arunachal not to limit their thinking to their state only but also come out to contribute for the country. “Your ingenuity, talent and innovations will also benefit rest of India,” Sinha said.
Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu in his speech said under Chief Minister’s Air Connectivity Scheme, all Advance Landing Grounds in the state will be made operational for air services connecting it with Itanagar, Tezu and Pasighat airports.
He informed that tender for operating of air services in the state has been completed and will be finalized soon. He also informed that DoNER ministry will spend about Rs 350 Cr for beginning the works of Hollongi airport.
Later the union MoS reviewed the status of Hollong Airport with the senior officers of Arunachal government in a separate meeting to draw up a time bound action plan for implementation of the dream project of the state.