AAI agrees to prepare project report for Nagaland’s Chiethu airport, says Rio

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 12 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has informed that the Airport Authority of India has agreed to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) of the Chiethu airport in Kohima.

The chief minister on Friday, September 11, met with the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Hardeep Singh Puri, and discussed matters related to civil aviation and infrastructure in Nagaland, including the Chiethu airport.

“Met Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Hardeep Singh Puri regarding Chiethu Airport at Kohima. I am grateful to the Airport Authority of India for agreeing to prepare the DPR of the airport,” Rio tweeted.

Puri also tweeted that he had a discussion with Rio on “issues pertaining to civil aviation access and infrastructure in the state”.

Earlier in June, the chief minister had requested the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) minister Jitendra Singh to pursue with the office of the prime minister to approve the airport in Kohima.

During the assembly session in February, the minister for Transport, Civil Aviation, Railways and Land Resource, P Paiwang Konyak, had informed that the state government had floated a tender inviting AAI-empanelled consultant for preparation of DPR and the tender formalities was under process and expected to be finalised shortly.

“In line with the national policy of having airports in every state capital, the state government is pursuing with the government of India for the construction of an airport at Chiethu for the state capital, Kohima,” said the minister.

When queried whether a technical feasibility report has been obtained from the AAI or Civil Aviation, Konyak replied that the issue “does not arise at this stage”. He added that people are willing to give more land for the airport.

The minister also said that at least 500 acres of land is required for an airport. On a rough calculation, the cost would amount to INR 1,08,90,000 (INR 1.08 crore).

As per the guidelines of the civil aviation policy on greenfields airport, it should be in the capital and should not be within 150 km aerial view. It also stated that land has to be provided by state governments free of cost, Konyak added. The minister assured that the government is strictly following the guidelines laid down by the civil aviation.

Rio also informed that Ciethu has the potential to have a 4.4 km runway.