Advance landing ground at Pasighat inspected

[ROCKETRAJA]

Published November 7, 2012 | By admin
SOURCE: PTI

The advance landing ground under construction at Pasighat in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh has been inspected by Air Marshal S Varthaman, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command.

Varthaman, who personally drove around to see the progress of the ALG yesterday was apprised about the present status of the proposed airbase which will be used for passenger and defence purposes by the Airports Authority of India and the Indian Air Force, official sources said today.

An encroachment problem within the periphery of the ALG,security arrangements and final DPR also figured in the discussions, the sources said.

The defence ministry had taken over seven ALGs at Daporijo, Menchuka, Pasighat, Tezu, Vijoynagar and Ziro in 2008 to make it operational for defence and civilian use.



The Vijaoynagar ALG in Changlang district was made operational by Governor J J Singh on November 18, 2011, while work on other ALGs were progressing at a fast pace.

The Pasighat airstrip was operational during the period when the British left India.

Later the Kalinga Airlines owned by former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik followed by Vayudoot operated services from the airstrip.

The services discontinued later except Kalinga Airline’s AN-32 and a helicopter served as a lifeline for supplying PDS items and ferrying passengers.

 

[Tshering22]

ALG reactivation is important strategic move and though it has come in late, It is better late than never. Vijaynagar and Tezu air fields won't be sufficient if we have to ensure round-the-clock aerial vigilance in the region. To better manage surveillance of the state borders with our Red friends, the ALGs should also host at least 2 squadrons of UAVs which will give an excellent on-ground picture of what's happening real-time.

AP needs at least 8-10 ALGs with aircraft landing, re-fueling and re-arming capabilities along with ability to carry out full conflict-time aircraft maintenance and have clandestine stock of spares in each of these bases to ensure aircraft availability to its max. Let's see what ACM Browne has on his mind.

Arunachal could seriously do with some airports. A commercial airport 100% in the hands of civilians is an absolute essential. It is
such a pain in the @$$ to travel from northern/eastern India to Arunachal if one has to do so immediately. First end up in Dimapur and then take another train. 3+ days of surface travel is exhausting especially of you've got to go for marriage or some family ceremony or some friend or relative.

Wonder how come they've not thought of a small viable airport for commercial airlines in the state till date.