An aircraft prepares for departure at Dimapur Airport, as ground crew operate near the terminal and runway. Expansion of the airport, Nagaland’s lone air link, continues to be delayed due to land-related issues. (Morung File Photo)
Seeks MHA's urgent intervention for land transfer to develop State's lone airport
Kohima, July 2 (MExN): The Nagaland Government, as per an official statement, is actively pursuing the release of 18.8 acres of land currently under the occupation of the Assam Rifles to facilitate the long-delayed Phase I expansion of Dimapur Airport.
Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio has also taken personal initiative to expedite the development of the State’s lone airport, it said.
Accordingly, the Transport Department, in coordination with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and relevant stakeholders, has been pushing the issue, it added.
The statement via the State DIPR highlighted that Dimapur Airport plays a critical role in connecting the region with the rest of the country, serving not only the people of Nagaland but also adjoining areas of Assam and Manipur within a 100 km radius.
“Despite its strategic importance and rising passenger traffic, expansion efforts have been severely constrained due to longstanding land issues,” it added.
Milestones achieved
To this end, the State DIPR highlighted key “milestones” achieved so far in connection with the objectives under the leadership of the Chief Minister and with close coordination by Chief Secretary Dr J Alam.
Among others, it listed the successful clearance of 17.9 acres of land from “illegal encroachment” after a prolonged legal battle, which was handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The land was reclaimed following an eviction drive on June 13.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has also vacated 8.4 acres of land under their occupation, supporting Phase I expansion efforts, it said.
Meanwhile, the statement underscored that the Assam Rifles have already been allotted alternate land at Shokhuvi village in Chümoukedima district, where a new Training Centre and School have been established and are now fully operational.
However, it noted that despite these positive developments, 18.8 acres out of 147 acres under the occupation of Assam Rifles remain “un-transferred,” delaying critical airport infrastructure work.
High-level meeting convened
To discuss the issue, a high-level meeting was convened on July 1 in New Delhi, chaired by Abhijit Sinah, IAS, Additional Secretary (Police II), Ministry of Home Affairs.
Myingthungo Ababe Ezung, OSD, Transport Department; Moa Pongen, Director, Dimapur Airport; Deputy General Manager (Civil Engineering), Airports Authority of India (AAI); and a representative from Assam Rifles were part of the meeting.
The primary agenda of the meeting was the release of the 18.8 acres held by Assam Rifles, and it was a direct outcome of the sustained efforts led by the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary to resolve the issue, the statement maintained.
CM, CS write to MHA
It further highlighted that earlier, CM Rio had written to the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, stating that the inability to expand Dimapur Airport due to land constraints is causing serious operational and safety concerns.
AAI’s Master Plan for phased development has been hindered even at Phase I due to the pending land transfer, it said.
It also highlighted that while the State Government and CRPF have fulfilled their responsibilities, the approval for land handover by the Assam Rifles remains pending, despite multiple representations and the fact that the latter already has a fully functional facility at Shokhuvi, making the retention of the current land unnecessary.
The CM, thus, requested urgent instructions from the MHA to facilitate the transfer and ensure timely commencement of developmental works.
The Chief Secretary has also written to the Union Home Secretary, reiterating the State’s position and underscoring that several meetings—the latest being on June 18—have been held with Assam Rifles to resolve the issue.
However, the land is yet to be vacated despite repeated assurances and reminders.
CS Alam further noted that Assam Rifles has expressed willingness to vacate the land subject to the MHA’s directive and structural compensation.
However, as it would be a ‘book transfer’ between two Central Government entities (Assam Rifles and AAI), structural compensation is not applicable, and the transfer can be made on an “as-is-where-is” basis, he highlighted.
Thus, he urged the MHA to grant necessary permissions to enable the immediate handover of land to AAI.
Call for urgent resolution
Accordingly, the statement noted that the Transport Department, under the direction of the CM and CS, continues to actively pursue the matter at the highest levels of Government.
Terming the July 1 meeting in New Delhi as a critical point of inter-agency dialogue, the statement held that it is now imperative for the MHA to issue a directive for the immediate transfer of 18.8 acres and recognise the urgency and national significance of expanding the only airport in Nagaland.
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