A substantial portion of land at Dimapur Airport- Nagaland’s only civil airport- has remained under the occupation of the Assam Rifles Training Centre– 18.9 acres out of 140 acres, despite the land being under the administrative control of the Airports Authority of India.
New Delhi Airport model display
The 18.9 acres of land under Phase–I involves construction of aerobridge, proposed parking bay for 14 aircrafts and helicopters from the present four.
The Assam Rifles is supposed to vacate to Shokhuvi village while CRPF has decided to vacate the 8 acres it occupies and shift to Chümoukedima.
On January 7, the director of Airports Authority of India (AAI), Dimapur Airport, clarified that the 18.9 acres of land identified for evacuation constituted the first phase and formed a critical component of the airport’s approved master plan for phase-one developmental works.
The director stated that the ARTC was scheduled to vacate the 18.9 acres by October 2025. However, the process was disrupted after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in a communication to the Ministry of Civil Aviation in September 2025, requested that 2.27 acres of the earmarked land be retained “for the time being”.
According to MHA, the request was made due to the presence of an approach road to family accommodation, underground water supply infrastructure, and two transformers located on the said portion of land.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has that the Assam Rifles Training Centre (ARTC) would have to provide Nagaland with a new airport if it does not vacate the land belonging to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at Dimapur Airport.
Responding to queries on the outcome of deliberations regarding the armed forces’ occupation of airport land, the chief minister said a committee had decided to take up the matter with the concerned central ministry. Now there is a stalemate.
The ball seemingly lies in the court of the Union Home Ministry and that way also with the Assam Rifles.
It is claimed that the state government has also cleared the handover of the 17.9 acres. One argument now gained currency is that the cost of neglect or delay in pushing such a product is evident.
 |
| Blogger |
The ARTC has reportedly sought Rs 16 crore for some of the buildings in the occupied areas. This also means ... probably only the compensation issue or the amount is now hindering the project.
In all fairness this is not a genuine issue to delay such a project. The Assam Rifles has a tradition and pride for being Friends of the Hill People. This is a critical as well sensitive claim given the touchy aspects that figure from time to time.
As someone who has tracked Assam Rifles as well as the state of Nagaland and Union Home Ministry -- I find this as a non issue.
One may feel the demand for compensation is crucial. It is also a paltry sum. The amount of Rs 16 crore for a development project is also a peanut amount for the Ministry of Home Affairs. Then why such tactics being deployed ?
I am not seeking to gain any sympathy/credit or trying to poke my news that we as journalists often do that. Let me state something very sincerely but keeping a long term interest in mind. If the Assam Rifles is genuinely 'friends' of the Hill People -- they can easily vacate the land for a national and public cause.
The Govt of India and the Union MHA under irreplaceable Amit Shah may also quickly intervene and end the impasse.
Ends
No comments:
Post a Comment