Kohima, May 9: In a significant development, Assam Rifles has handed over 18.8 acres of land for the expansion of Dimapur Airport. The transfer was formalized during a joint ceremony held on Friday at the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School in Chumoukedima.
The event was attended by key officials, including Dimapur Airport Director Moa Pongen and Assam Rifles Commandant K.D. Sharma, along with several senior state government representatives. During the ceremony, officials inspected the designated area within the training centre premises.
Following the inspection, a formal ‘transfer and acquisition’ ceremony took place, marking a crucial step towards the long-awaited expansion of Dimapur Airport. Discussions were also held regarding the transfer of the remaining land occupied by the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School, which is essential for the Phase-2 expansion of the airport.
It was agreed that further instructions from relevant authorities would be necessary to facilitate the transfer of the remaining land required for development. An official stated that this handover is a significant milestone in the overall development plan for Dimapur Airport.
Last year, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had requested intervention from Union Home Minister Amit Shah to assist in the transfer of the 18.8 acres of land, emphasizing its importance for the airport expansion project.
According to officials, Assam Rifles has already been allocated another piece of land in Shokhuvi village within Chumoukedima district, where a new training centre and school have been established and are fully operational.
Despite these developments, the transfer of the 18.8 acres had been pending for a long time, causing delays in major infrastructure works and expansion activities at Dimapur Airport. Previously, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) vacated 8.4 acres of land, which supported the Phase-1 expansion plan of the airport.
The Chief Minister had urged the Home Minister to issue necessary directives through the Ministry of Home Affairs to streamline the land transfer process and ensure timely commencement of development works. In a letter to Amit Shah, the Chief Minister highlighted that the inability to expand Dimapur Airport due to land shortages poses serious operational and security concerns.
The phased development of the airport has been stalled due to delays in land transfer, impacting the master plan of the Airports Authority of India. Dimapur Airport, the only airport in Nagaland, plays a vital role in connecting the state with the rest of the country and serves residents from nearby areas in Assam and Manipur within a 100-kilometer radius.
Despite its strategic importance and increasing passenger numbers, efforts to expand the airport have faced prolonged interruptions due to unresolved land issues.
My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
