ITANAGAR, May 25:Following criticism from Opposition parties including civil society, NGOs etc regarding delay in construction of Greenfield Airport at Hollongi, Government Spokesperson, PD Sona today reiterated the state government’s commitment for early completion of the much hyped project.

Clarifying all doubts regarding its delay due to various factors like PIL against the shifting of the project to Hollongi, Sona stated that despite all setbacks Chief Minister Pema Khandu has been pushing from day one and continuously pursuing with the Government of India to speed up the construction.

Sona disclosed that government had already submitted its cabinet decision held on May 10, 2018 after fully studying the report filed by committee formed earlier under the chairmanship of Minister, land management, Nabam Rebia to the Centre and stated that it is awaiting to get approval from Centre.

He informed that following direction from the Centre the state government formed the said committee to study the details of the status of ownership of land measuring 948.56 acres at Hollongi as sought by the civil aviation ministry, Govt of India for construction of the airport.

 “There are legal and social issues pertaining to land acquisition mentioned in the report submitted by the Jt. Committee and to clear it the government had to form the committee,” he informed.

He continued that in the report,  the Jt. Committee has recommended land area of 212.46 hectares (525 acres) and R & R area of 40.41 hectares (99.9 acres) limiting to construction of Airport for A320 type of aircraft. Thus, in total, 624.90 acres (i/c land for rehabilitation of Chakma refugees).

 In it its report the Jt Committee observed that land acquisition cost is very high and land issues are very critical for Hollongi and submitted another report containing report of comparison of cost component for Hollongi as well as Banderdewa to the State Cabinet through the state civil aviation department.

Following the report, Sona said that after detailed deliberations the State Cabinet on May 18, 2017 approved to forward the proposal for construction of Greenfield Airport as recommended by the said Jt. Committee and conveyed its decision to Minister Civil Aviation including secretary Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India on June 30, 2017.

Also throwing light on the decision to shift the location from Karsingsa to Hollongi, he divulged the shifting was done following a report submitted by Inter-Ministerial Committee, who in its report suggested Hollongi as favourable site for construction of Greenfield Airport due to overriding considerations of safety & technical acceptability in comparison to Karsingsa in 2012.

On the basis of Inter-Ministerial Committee recommendation, the State Government moved Union Ministry of Civil Aviation August 2012 for Cabinet approval and later after conducting various meetings and site visits formed another Jt. Committee for comparative analysis of the proposed site with AAI Chairman as the Chairman.

Accordingly the Jt. Committee inspected the Banderdewa & Hollongi sites on December 2016 then submitted its report on February 2017 and proposed Hollongi as preferable site citing suitable for all weather day and night operations and can serve as a long term air connectivity solution.

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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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