From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) is considering to revamp all the operating airports and reviving dormant ones in the state besides carrying out massive infrastructure development for Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBI) in Guwahati to cope up with the heavy inflow of passengers.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday held a high level meeting with AAI Chairman VP Agarwal on issues concerning infrastructure development of airports across the state.
Agarwal apprised the Chief Minister about the slew of steps being initiated by AAI for construction of new integrated terminal building and parallel taxi track at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBI) in Guwahati.
The Chairman requested the Chief Minister for handing over of land being acquired by the State Government for the expansion and modernization of LGBI.
The officials of the Revenue Department assured that the remaining of the required 343 acres would be handed over to AAI within the next seven days. Agarwal informed Gogoi that Rs 500 crore would be required for parallel runway, Rs 150 crore for traffic taxi and Rs 100 crore for land cost.
The AAI Chairman requested Assam government to move the North Eastern Council (NEC) for fund support. Gogoi also asked Agarwal to explore other sources for meeting the funds requirement.
Chief Secretary in-charge, PP Varma urged AAI to see to it that the land acquisition cost presently borne by Assam government for airports expansion should be shared by other state governments of the Northeast, DoNER and NEC.
Echoing the views of Varma, Chief Minister Gogoi told AAI to find out ways ‘as the State serves as a regional hub for the entire North East region.
The Chief Minister took up the matter of night landing facility at LGBI Airport with the AAI Chairman who said that night landing facility would come up at the airport soon
The meeting discussed the proposed expansion plan for Rowriah Airport at Jorhat. Chief Minister Gogoi said modernization plan for Rowriah Airport is a must as Jorhat has tremendous potential for further growth of aviation sector in the days ahead.
Agarwal informed the Chief Minister that they would like to go in for expansion at the site presently under occupation of the Assam Rifles. Assam Rifles agreed to swap land in lieu of other suitable land.
The Chief Minister said that he would instruct the Deputy Commissioner, Jorhat accordingly and also asked AAI officials to make an on-the-spot assessment. Agarwal pointed out that night landing facility could be set up if Air Force issued a no objection certificate.
Expansion of Lakhimpur’s Lilabari airport and a training academy also figured in the discussion. The AAI officials informed the Chief Minister that talks are going on with Government of Arunachal Pradesh and NEC for acquisition of land.
Chairman AAI apprised the Chief Minister about the expansion plan (Phase I) of Mohanbari Airport in Dibrugarh. He said about 32.5 acres of land would be required for the purpose.
The revenue officials said the process would take three to four months for disposal of claims and objections. About 11 crore will be required for land acquisition, out of which Rs 2.5 crore would be released by Assam Government this year.
The AAI chief apprised Gogoi that night landing facility would be in place at Mohanbari Airport.
Eighteen months’ time will be required for execution of the expansion project under Phase I.
The issue of reviving Rupshi Airport at Dhubri in the 12th Plan period also came up for discussion. Agarwal informed that the land was with the AAI and it was ready for reviving the Rupshi Airport, as Air Force has also shown keen interest.
“Rupshi can serve Kokrajhar as it is not feasible to build an airport there from security point of view as the areas are thickly forested,” he added.