Arunachal denies role in shifting airport

As reported in local English daily 'The Assam Tribune'

ITANAGAR, Nov 7 - The Arunachal Pradesh Government has denied having any role in the shifting of the green field airport from Karsingsa to Hollangi, saying it was the Central Government which took the decision taking into account opinions of the experts and safety issues. The Arunachal Pradesh Government spokesperson, Bamang Felix, said the statement of Governor JP Rajkhowa that the earlier site of airport at Karsingsa was abandoned due to vested interests of politicians was “politically inclined” at the “behest of BJP”. “This is to clarify that the State Government has no role in the shifting of the green field airport from Karsingsa to Holongi nor has any say in its construction. The statement of Governor J P Rajkhowa that shifting of the said airport has been motivated with ulterior motives is politically inclined and at the behest of BJP,” the spokesperson said. The Governor’s allegation is baseless, he said. Since the beginning (March 2006), the State Government has been in favour of establishing the airport at Karsingsa/ Banderdewa area in the vicinity of the State capital. However, in the intervening period of official procedures the Public Investment Board (PIB) in March 2009 raised some observations due to higher cost on earth work and suggested for exploring an alternate site. It even suggested using the Lilabari airport instead of constructing one in Arunachal Pradesh. The Ministry of Defence issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) on June 12, 2007 for construction of the Greenfield airport at Karsingsa. However, the NOC had several preconditions incorporated in it that are mandatory to operationalise the airport. In the later stages, it was found by the Technical Committee and the concerned departments that it would be difficult to abide by the preconditions in case the airport was established at Karsingsa site, the statement said. – PTI