16th Jan 2019 10:01:PM Editorials
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

Finally the Greenfield Airport at Hollongi is inching towards becoming a reality with the Ministry of Finance clearing the project proposal on January 11. At an estimated cost of Rs.955.37 Crores (central share) and 87 Crore (state share) totalling 1043 Crores, the airport will be a state-of-the-art infrastructure which will propel economic development besides improving connectivity for the local population. Tourism is expected to see a huge boost with this project.

After being mired in complexities which saw inordinate delay, earlier on receipt of the environment clearance from the Ministry of Environment & Forest, the Steering Committee of the Ministry of Civil Aviation had cleared the proposal of Greenfield Airport at Hollongi on 28thDecember 2018.

However, the good news has been marred once again by objections regarding land compensation rate.

The proposed greenfield airport in Hollongi has been at the centre of controversy ever since the Centre decided to shift it from Karsingsa – with land compensation issue being the bone of contention. Initially, Karsingsa had been selected for the project and the foundation stone was laid on 20 February, 2007, by then union home minister Shivraj Patil.

Among the major hindrances in the path of development of the state, the tall compensation claims has emerged as one of the biggest deterrent. Shortsightedness has been responsible for derailing and inordinate delays of several important projects. The blight of inflated compensation demands has obviously not gone unnoticed to the central government if one has to analyze Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari’s recent comment. The minister who was in the state capital to inaugurate two highway projects last year, promised more roads worth rupees 50,000 crore on condition that Arunachalees must provide the land free.

More than a decade has passed by and frankly the state can no longer stave off an infrastructure as crucial as this for the state’s development.

Land holdings are dear to local Arunachalese and while compensation claim is our right, there is a greater need to be conscientious while demanding unrealistic compensatory claims. Time has come for us to overlook personal gains for the overall benefit of society.


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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