The Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) has strongly and unequivocally demanded immediate vacation of the premises situated on the acquired airport land, currently under the occupation of the Assam Rifles Training Centre (ARTC).

The Federation has underscored that official records clearly establish that the Dimapur Airfield was formally transferred by the Indian Air Force to the National Airports Authority (now Airports Authority of India – AAI) in 1987, along with all fixed assets and external services, on an “as-is-where-is basis.” The effective date of transfer was September 1, 1987, placing the land fully under the authority and administrative control of civil aviation agencies.

“Despite this clear transfer of ownership and jurisdiction, the continued occupation of airport-acquired land by ARTC is untenable, unjustified, and contrary to public interest,” DUCCF stated, adding it has stalled essential infrastructure development and airport expansion plans critical for the state’s connectivity and economic growth.

DUCCF expressed deep concern that ARTC has yet to fully vacate 18.9 acres of land earmarked for the first phase of the Dimapur Airport expansion, a delay it termed unacceptable and injurious to public welfare.

“The expansion of Dimapur Airport is a project of immense public interest, critical to the economic growth, connectivity, safety, and overall development of Dimapur district and Nagaland as a whole. The delay in vacating the designated land has directly hampered infrastructure development and inconvenienced the general public, which is unacceptable at this stage,” the Federation stated.

Reiterating its position, DUCCF said that sufficient time, notices and opportunities have already been accorded to ARTC over the years.

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Stating that prolonging the matter further only undermines public welfare and delays a nationally important infrastructure project, the DUCCF urged ARTC to immediately and fully vacate the land earmarked for the first phase of the Dimapur Airport expansion in the larger public interest

In a statement issued by Kevipietsu Savino, Information Publicity Secretary on Friday, the Federation has called on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, to take a firm and decisive stand, and issue enforceable directives to ensure the complete vacation of the airport land by ARTC without further resistance.

DUCCF also urged the Government of Nagaland and concerned authorities to uphold the sanctity of official records, protect land acquired for strategic public infrastructure, and ensure that it is not misused or unlawfully retained by any agency, regardless of institutional stature.

The DUCCF reiterated that Dimapur Airport is the gateway to Nagaland and the region and its timely expansion is non-negotiable for progress, safety and future growth.

Stating that it stands united with the AAI- Airport Authority of India and citizens of Dimapur in demanding swift and decisive action from all concerned authorities, the  DUCCF hoped that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would act promptly and responsibly to ensure that this long-pending issue is resolved without further delay, in the best interest of the public.