EMN
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 25
THE Naga Students Federation (NSF) has urged Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ajit Singh to increase the flights from the present 4 days in a week to daily flight from Dimapur airport, for direct flight from Delhi to Dimapur and also take up immediate developmental measures to bring the airport at par with airports in other metropolitan cities.The NSF met the Union minister in his official residence in New Delhi on Friday and submitted a memorandum specifically citing these three genuine points for immediate redressal.
The minister gave a patient hearing to the grievances of Dimapur Airport raised by the Federation and regretted that the only airport in Nagaland is in such pathetic condition. He also mentioned that one very important aspect for development of any airport of national and international standard requires sufficient land and therefore advised Nagas to look into that aspect too.
The minister also assured pursue the matter with all seriousness before the UPA tenure comes to an end, according to a release issued by NSF president Tongpang Ozukum and assistant general secretary Christopher Ltu.
Greeting the minister, the NSF pointed out that lack of financial resources and sheer negligence have been an important factor in retarding expansion of aviation infrastructure for Dimapur Airport.
Compared to other 125 airports in the entire country, Dimapur Airport is the most neglected airport in terms of infrastructure, maintenance and development, it said adding since its establishment, Dimapur Air Transport with just a single flight, plying 4 days in a week has not been able to keep pace with rising demand and is proving to be a drag on the economy.
The NSF further stated that the inconveniences faced by the passengers due to regular flight cancellation is immense and it is burdensome for the passengers, particularly the students and the common people due to exuberant price charged by the company compared to reasonable and affordable air fare charged in other airports in the Northeast and other parts of India.
It also said the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India has totally sidelined the infrastructural development and necessary maintenance of the lone airport in the State.
