Chief Minister Pema Khandu flags off first passenger flight to Ziro

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: In another boost to Arunachal Pradesh's aviation sector, Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday flagged off the first fixed wing commercial passenger flight to Ziro in the Lower Subansiri district from Lilabari in Assam's North Lakhimpur district, to be operated by Alliance Air under the Centre's UDAN scheme.

Two more flights, Shillong-Lilabari-Shillong and Imphal-Aizawl-Imphal, were also launched during the inaugural ceremony held virtually, which was attended by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M Scindia and Chief Ministers of Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.

Speaking on the occasion, Khandu expressed gratitude to the Central Government. He said that under the leadership of Narendra Modi the Centre has given utmost attention to develop the Northeastern States, particularly in the connectivity sector, an official communiqué informed.

"In all spheres of connectivity - road, rail, air and digital connectivity - North-East has witnessed unprecedented progress in the last eight years of Modi Government. The once-neglected and under-developed region today is at par with other developed States of the country," Khandu said.

He informed that in the last eight years Arunachal Pradesh could develop and make air-worthy nine advanced landing grounds that were lying dilapidated and unused.

"While Pasighat and Tezu already have fixed wing commercial air connectivity, today we have added Ziro. Of the remaining six ALGs, three are feasible for fixed wing flight landing and three - Tawang, Aalo and Walong - will be used as heliports," Khandu said.

He said that once the airport at Hollongi is inaugurated and made operational, inter as well as intra state air connectivity would get a major boost.

Informing that the Hollongi airport is complete and ready for operation, Khandu said that Arunachal Pradesh is waiting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come and dedicate it to the people.

He also thanked Alliance Air for taking the lead in extending its flight services to the State and the region.

The Chief Minister was joined by State Civil Aviation Minister Nakap Nalo and Agriculture Minister Tage Taki in the virtual event, the communiqué added.

Also read:  PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate Hollongi airport on October 30

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