In an unprecedented move, residents from 11 villages from Vijayanagar area came forward to volunteer to help Air Force authorities to undertake repairing work of Vijaynagar Advance Landing Ground (ALG) in Arunachal Pradesh, which was not in useable condition.
The Vijayanagar Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) is situated in a remote corner of Arunachal Pradesh and is not connected with any motorable road. The ALG has not been fit for operations by any fixed-wing aircraft since 2016.
“The people from 11 villages from local area of Vijayanagar came forward volunteering to help Air Force authorities to undertake this task by carrying out Shramdaan (volunteer labour),” said a defence official.
Indian Air Force has taken up a project to repair the ALG and land aircraft as part of its operational needs in the east. For the repairs, all the material and manpower has to be airlifted to Vijayanagar.
“The repair work involves cleaning of runway surface on which grass and moss had accumulated due to non utilisation of surface over a long duration. This task required large number of people as it is manpower oriented,” the official said.
The official said the repair work by the specialised team has already commenced and the material is being transported to the ALG in phases.
IAF officers say this move by villagers is highly appreciated and it reflects the close connection that the civil population has with the IAF wherever it operates.
