HT Correspondent
DIMAPUR, July 2: Taking personal initiative, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has directed the state transport department to secure the release of 18.8 acres of Dimapur airport land, currently occupied by Assam Rifles, for Phase I expansion of the airport.
The lack of approval for the transfer of the 18.8 acres of land remains the sole impediment to starting work on Phase I expansion of the airport, reports said.
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Rio requested urgent instructions from the MHA to facilitate the transfer and ensure timely commencement of developmental works.
In line with Rio’s directive, the department, in coordination with the ministry of home affairs and relevant stakeholders, is pursuing the release of the land currently under Assam Rifles.
A high-level meeting was convened in New Delhi on July 1 to discuss the release of the land by Assam Rifles.
Myingthungo Ababe Ezung, OSD, Nagaland transport department, Moa Pongen, director, Dimapur airport and Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Assam Rifles representatives attended the meeting.
The state government had recently cleared 17.9 acres of land from illegal encroachment after a prolonged legal battle and handed it over to the AAI.
The CRPF also vacated 8.4 acres of land under their occupation, supporting the Phase I expansion efforts.
The Assam Rifles has already been allotted alternate land at Shokhuvi village in Chümoukedima district, where a new training centre and school of the force has been established and is now fully operational.
Despite these positive developments, the land under the occupation of Assam Rifles has not been transferred.
Rio had earlier written a letter to Union home minister Amit Shah highlighting the inability to expand the airport due to land constraints, which is causing serious operational and safety concerns.
The AAI’s Master Plan for phased development has been hindered even at Phase I due to pending land transfer. The state government and CRPF have done their part by vacating and handing over the required land to the AAI, but the Assam Rifles is reportedly yet to vacate the land.
