Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assures Arunachal to consider an airport in Dirang

GUWAHATI: Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assured the Arunachal Pradesh government to consider construction of an airport in Dirang. Sitharaman is on a two-day visit to the state.

Sitharaman had a high-level meeting with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, which was also attended by Union minister of state for Home, Kiren Rijjiju.

The defence minister gave an in-principle approval for establishment of three Sainik Schools -- one each in Tawang, Pasighat and Tirap-Changlang-Longding belt.

The proposal for establishment of an airport at Dirang was also discussed and the armed forces evinced a strong interest in the proposal. The minister stated that this proposal will be given due consideration.

The chief minister raised the urgent need to establish a cantonment in the capital area of Itanagar. Sitharaman assured the CM that this would be accorded high priority.

Khandu also raised the issue of need for expansion of land for Tawang township and urged the Defence Minister to consider freeing up some idle land in the vicinity of the township. She directed the Army officials to look into this matter favourably and submit a report urgently after consulting the district administration and government officials.

The chief minister also impressed upon the need to expedite the opereationalisation of the brigade headquarters in Tirap district so as to deal with the problem of insurgency in the region. Defence Minister assured the Chief minister that the brigade headquarter would be made operational by December 2018.

The defence minister assured that Indian air force infrastructural facilities in the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) shall be permitted for civilian use. She also assured that requisite funds shall be released for conducting survey for laying the strategic railway line from Missamari (Assam) to Tawang.