Arunachal: Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates New Terminal Building at Tezu Airport

TEZU-   Marking a significant milestone in the development of aviation infrastructure in the region, promising enhanced connectivity and improved passenger services, the  Union Minister of Civil Aviation & Steel, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, inaugurated the newly constructed state-of-the-art Terminal Building at Tezu Airport today, in presence of Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Chowna Mein.

The new domestic terminal building has a domestic terminal area of 4000 sq. m. with a peak hour capacity of 300 passengers annually. It also houses five check-in counters, with three more to be added in the future. Additionally, the terminal has two arrival carousels and two aircraft parking bays for ATR-72 type aircraft.

Also Read- The history of LAC or McMahon Line

During the program, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasised on the enhanced capability of Tezu Airport with the addition of the new terminal building, which is also the second civil terminal in the state of Arunachal Pradesh under Airport Authority of India. He anticipated that it will greatly increase tourist footfall in the region and add on to the regional economy.

He also mentioned that under the double-engine government of PM Narendra Modi and CM Pema Khandu, development in Arunachal Pradesh has already achieved significant strides and will continue to soar greater heights. He also emphasised that in the nine years of Modi Sarkar, 75 new airports have been constructed in the entire nation, adding to a total of 137 airports, along with 17 Airports in North East India and 4 airports (including ALGs) in Arunachal Pradesh that were constructed in the past nine years.

He also termed North East as the ‘HIRA’ (means diamond) of India citing HIRA stands for Highway, Internet, Railway and Aviation and reiterated the PM Modi’s commitment of making it a new engine of growth for India. He further said that the NE region will become the gateway of India in days to come as it has the potential for Trade, Agri & Horticulture Produces, etc.

As part of his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Scindia also took a tour of the Mekelang village in Tezu on foot and inspected several infrastructure projects and schemes such as the PMGSY road, PM-AWAJ Yojana and Har Ghar Jal Yojana under JJM. He also distributed Ayushman Bharat Health Cards to the beneficiaries and visited and interacted with the children of Anganwadi centre and beneficiaries of various welfare schemes in the area.

Also Read-  Noa Dehing- A Perfect Picnic Spot in Changlang District of Arunachal

The Deputy Chief Minister Arunachal Pradesh expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Union Minister for dedicating the new Terminal Building at Tezu Airport. He emphasized that the Tezu 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, Mein added that it has undergone a long journey. Initially built during 1963-67, the airport was operated by the Indian Air Force until 2004. Subsequently, it was transferred to the Airport Authority of India, but remained inactive for civil operations. He also mentioned that during 1985-86, the Airport Authority of India constructed a temporary Civil Terminal Building, which was utilized by INDIAN AIRLINES D-27 (FOKKER) Aircraft, serving as a 25-seater aircraft connecting Mohanbari to Tezu.

Speaking further, Mein added that the Civil Terminal building at Walong has also been completed, while works at Tuting and Mechukha ALGs are currently in progress and highlighted that the State Government has invested a total of Rs 229 Crore in the Civil Aviation Sector over the last 7 years.

Further, to ensure seamless all-weather flight operations, the Deputy Chief Minister appealed to the  Ministry of Civil Aviation to provide and facilitate the installation of necessary navigational equipment such as ILS, VOR (Very High-Frequency Omni Range) approach, DME (Distance Measuring Equipment), etc., at Tezu and Pasighat Airports.

Also Read- China deployed fighter jets in Tibet near Arunachal Pradesh

Mein further requested the Ministry to intervene and extend support for the development of civil terminal infrastructure at Vijaynagar ALG and also urged for the establishment of ALGs at Alinye, near Anini in Dibang Valley District, and at Zimthung, Dirang. The operationalisation of these ALGs would serve both defense purposes and civilian needs, he added.

The inauguration program was also attended by Civil Aviation Minister, GoAP Nakap Nalo, MP (Lok Sabha) Tapir Gao, MP (Rajya Sabha) Nabam Rebia, MLAs Karikho Kri, Chau Zingnu Namchoom & Dasanglu Pul, Secretary Civil Aviation, GoI, Vumlunmang Vualnam, Principal Secretary (Home), Kaling Tayeng, Officials of AAI and others.