ITANAGAR, Sep 24: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Sunday requested the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to extend support for the development of Civil Terminal infrastructure at Vijaynagar ALG (Advanced Landing Ground) in Changlang district, bordering Myanmar.
Attending the inauguration of the new Terminal building at Tezu Airport by Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Mein also urged for establishment of ALGs at Alinye, near Anini in Dibang Valley district, and at Zimthung, Dirang in West Kameng. He said operationalisation of these ALGs would serve both defense purposes and civilian needs.
The Deputy CM further requested the Ministry to facilitate installation of necessary navigational equipment such as ILS (Instrument Landing System), VOR (Very High-Frequency Omni Range) approach, DME (Distance Measuring Equipment), etc at Tezu and Pasighat Airports to ensure seamless all-weather flight operations.
He informed that the Civil Terminal building at Walong has also been completed, while works at Tuting and Mechukha ALGs are currently in progress, and added that the State Government has invested a total of Rs 229 crore in the civil aviation sector over the last 7 years.
Expressing gratitude to the Union Minister for dedicating the new Terminal Building at Tezu Airport, Mein said that the Airport holds immense importance owing to its strategic location, connecting various tourist destinations such as Dong Valley, Mayudia, Parshuram Kund, Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Bhismaknagar and many more.
Reflecting on the history of Tezu Airport, he said that it has undergone a long journey. Initially built during 1963-67, the airport was operated by the Indian Air Force till 2004. Subsequently, it was transferred to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) but remained inactive for civil operations. He also mentioned that during 1985-86, the AAI constructed a temporary Civil Terminal building, which was utilized by Indian Airlines (Fokker) aircraft, serving as a 25-seater aircraft connecting Mohanbari to Tezu.
As part of his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the Union Minister also took a tour of the Mekelang village in Tezu on foot and inspected several infrastructure projects/schemes such as PMGSY road, PM-Awas Yojana and Har Ghar Jal Yojana under JJM. He also distributed Ayushman Bharat Health Cards to the beneficiaries, and visited and interacted with children of Anganwadi centre and the beneficiaries of various welfare schemes in the area.