Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh government has named the under-construction greenfield airport in the state capital as "Donyi Polo Airport".
As per reports, the decision to rename the airport was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by state Chief Minister Prema Khandu.
The airport which has been built under the Centre's Capital Connectivity Scheme at a cost of Rs 645 crores, will start operations from August 15.
Notably, the Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar would be Arunachal Pradesh's third aiport after the Pasighat and Tezu airports. Besides this in Northeast India it will be the 16th airport.
However, it will be the first airport in the state which will have a runway of 2,300 metres, sufficient for operating of Boeing 747s.
Reportedly, it is being said that the name of the airport will represent the tribal state's rich cultural legacy and long-standing traditions.
"This name of the lone Airport in the capital city will symbolize the age-old tradition and rich cultural heritage of the tribal State and also will reflect the people's age-old indigenous reverence on the Sun (Donyi) and the Moon (Polo)," a Cabinet statement from the Chief Minister's Office said here.
At present, there is no airport in the vicinity of the State capital, the closest one being the Lilabari Airport in Assam's North Lakhimpur district, at a distance of 80 km from here.
Developed by the AAI at an estimated cost of Rs 645 crore, the Hollongi airport can accommodate 200 passengers during peak hours. It has eight check-in counters.
As per reports, with an area of 4,100 sqm, the airport would be equipped with all modern facilities for passengers, officials said. The terminal will be an energy-efficient building with a rainwater-harvesting system and sustainable landscape.
The Cabinet also approved various proposals of the Health and Family Welfare Department for upgradation of health infrastructure.
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