Senior Congress leader addressing a press conference at Congress Bhawan in Dimapur on June 21. (Morung photo)
Dimapur, June 21 (MExN): Senior Congress leader KL Chishi today lashed out at what he termed “lukewarm and lethargic attitude” of Air India (AI) flight operations in Nagaland. Addressing the media at Congress Bhawan in Dimapur, Chishi said that the unlike other states, Nagaland depends only on the government owned AI service which is not functioning as per desired standard. He said not only does the state have just two flights a week, even that was very irregular and unreliable. “There is not a single day I do not come across in the newspaper that flights have been rescheduled,” he remarked. He also noted that Nagaland has no direct flights from any of the major destinations which cause numerous problems for passengers.
Chishi complained that the irregular and lethargic flight service has become very inconvenient for passengers, especially health patients, students and businessmen. He said that many people miss out on important work and appointment due to irregularity of flight services to Dimapur. He also sighted examples of passengers being stranded in connecting destinations due to flight cancellations. He said the state of Nagaland is getting step motherly treatment and is being given the lowest priority in this sector.
Pointing out that passengers in Nagaland are having a harrowing time as there is no alternative but to depend on AI, Chishi said it has been the failure of the State government to raise the issue appropriately. “The State government is not taking appropriate measures to rectify and caution AI authority to see that people from Nagaland are given proper treatment,” he said. He said that for those at the helm of affairs (read VIPs), their needs are taken care of any given time and it is the common man that is bearing the brunt. He questioned why the government has not taken up the matter with the Civil Aviation Ministry about the irregularities of AI operations in Nagaland.
Chishi further questioned the government for not taking steps to introduce private airlines in the State. He said: “I don’t think it has drawn the attention of the government for them to request the appropriate authority.” He said that the government should, instead of introducing flying shuttle, approach the Civil Aviation Ministry for better services in the state.
Chishi complained that the irregular and lethargic flight service has become very inconvenient for passengers, especially health patients, students and businessmen. He said that many people miss out on important work and appointment due to irregularity of flight services to Dimapur. He also sighted examples of passengers being stranded in connecting destinations due to flight cancellations. He said the state of Nagaland is getting step motherly treatment and is being given the lowest priority in this sector.
Pointing out that passengers in Nagaland are having a harrowing time as there is no alternative but to depend on AI, Chishi said it has been the failure of the State government to raise the issue appropriately. “The State government is not taking appropriate measures to rectify and caution AI authority to see that people from Nagaland are given proper treatment,” he said. He said that for those at the helm of affairs (read VIPs), their needs are taken care of any given time and it is the common man that is bearing the brunt. He questioned why the government has not taken up the matter with the Civil Aviation Ministry about the irregularities of AI operations in Nagaland.
Chishi further questioned the government for not taking steps to introduce private airlines in the State. He said: “I don’t think it has drawn the attention of the government for them to request the appropriate authority.” He said that the government should, instead of introducing flying shuttle, approach the Civil Aviation Ministry for better services in the state.
