ITANAGAR, Aug 5: North Eastern Council (NEC) Secretary K Moses Chalai, accompanied by Director (Science and Technology) in the NEC, Er Tanung Jamoh and Joint Director (Planning & Investment), Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, Okep Tayeng on Friday visited Tezu in Lohit district to take stock of the NEC-funded schemes in the district.
The Secretary and his team along with Lohit DC Marge Sora visited the Tezu Airport to inspect the work progress of the terminal block, Apron area, ATC tower cum technical block. He also interacted with the Director, AAI (Tezu Airport) Amarkant L Sonawane and representatives of the executing agency, TCIL.
Amarkant Sonawane informed that major works have been completed and tentatively all works will complete by 31st October 2022. Commercial flights were operationalized from 19th August 2021, and the inaugural flight was virtually flagged off by Chief Minister Pema Khandu. Currently, FlyBig Airlines and Alliance Airlines are providing their services connecting Tezu to Dibrugarh and Guwahati. He also informed the visiting officers that more flights to major cities in the North East are in the pipeline.
The NEC Secretary, expressing satisfaction at the pace of works being carried out, said that Tezu Airport funded by NEC has been a major investment in the district and it will benefit the local population immensely.
The Secretary, while interacting with the HoDs wherein the DC gave an overview of the district, said that the district is blessed with abundant plain land and good connectivity. The district can benefit from the agri-horti sector, and hence, emphasis should be given to double the income of the farmers.
The NEC Secretary, who arrived in Changlang on Thursday, visited the units funded under NERCORMP, CCRMS Changlang and interacted with the CBO members.
Later, a meeting was held at DC's conference hall, where DPD, NERCORMP gave a power-point presentation on various SHGs/CBOs/FPOs-run industries such as food processing units, bakery units, cane & bamboo industries, etc in Changlang funded under the NEC.
The Secretary was impressed by the curcumin content in turmeric powder produced in a food processing industry based in Khimiyong-Kantang block, which is 7.6%. He suggested focusing more focus on it and trying to take it to the next level and assured that the NEC is ready to give its full support. He also suggested focusing on products unique to the area.
Earlier upon their arrival, the NEC Secretary and his team were accorded a warm welcome by the officers from district administration, NERCORMP, and CBOs and SHG members. (With inputs from DIPROs)