From Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi: The state-owned Baljek airport at Tura might continue remain non-functional for time being since none of the scheduled airlines is in possession of Dornier -228 aircraft, the type of small plane the airport can handle.
“Tura airport is suitable for operation of 20-seater aircraft and no scheduled airlines owns Dornienr-228 aircraft,” Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation G M Siddeshara said in reply to a question of Tura MP Punro A Sangma in Lok Sabha. “Therefore presently there is no schedule operation at Tura airport,” he added when prodded about the deadline when it will become operational.
Tura airport built at a cost of Rs 12.52 crore, was inaugurated by then President Ms Pratibha Patil amid much fanfare. The projects was conceived way back in 1983 by the state Government but was sanctioned by the Centre 12 years later. The Minister also informed that the State Government had proposed to handover the airport to the AAI and a draft MoU for this purposed had been forward to the state.