AIZAWL: Expeditious steps are being taken to make Mizoram’s lone airport a base for IAF jets and installation of a hi-tech surveillance radar in southern parts of the state, sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh.
CM Lal Thanhawla and Eastern Air Command chief Air Marshall S Varthaman discussed the issue at the former’s office here on Friday.
An official statement said the CM promised all possible help if the plans materialise. A large area has been identified for the surveillance radar at Zokhawtlang in south Mizoram, for which detailed survey was being undertaken, the statement said.
Varthaman said as the IAF will permanently station at least four combat jet fighters at Lengpui air-port, 38 km from Aizawl, land would be required for construction of four blast pans. Sources said Rs three-crore radar facility and the jet station in Lengpui Airport are indicative of the IAF’s desire to make its presence felt in Mizoram as part of a new security perception of New Delhi in the strategic northeastern zone. At present, the IAF has combat facilities in the Northeast in airports such as Shillong, Silchar, Chabua in Upper Assam and Tezpur. (UNI)