Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Arunachal Pradesh on 30 October to inaugurate the Donyi Polo Airport near here (Itanagar), a senior official said on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu had recently met the prime minister in New Delhi and requested him to inaugurate the greenfield airport in Hollongi, he said.
Developed by Airport Authority of India (AAI) at an estimated cost of Rs 645 crore, the Donyi Polo airport, with eight check-in counters, can accommodate up to 200 passengers during peak hours.
The new airport, spanning an area of 4,100 sq m, is equipped with all modern facilities, the officials said.
Low-cost carrier Indigo Airlines had on 18 October successfully test-landed its aircraft at the newly constructed airport, the first in Arunachal Pradesh.
The #Tiranga moment at #Hollongi Airport 🇮🇳
Welcome water cannon salute was accorded to the test flight of @IndiGo6E airlines upon touch down at newly built Hollongi Greenfield Airport #Itanagar in #ArunachalPradesh #NorthEast #aviation @MoCA_GoI @ArunachalCMO @AAI_Official pic.twitter.com/n6zaybYgMo
— Regional Executive Dir. AAI, North-East Region (@aairedner) October 18, 2022
The new airport has a runway of 2,300 m and is suitable for the landing and take-off of Boeing 747. With an area of 4,100 sq m, it will be equipped with all modern facilities for passengers, they said.
Two water cannons sprayed water as a welcome gesture when the Airbus A320 flight of IndiGo Airlines test landed at the airport with crew members and a few officials on board.
Sharing the news of the test landing, Chief Minister Pema Khandu had said, “It is a milestone moment for us as we’re making every possible effort to ensure ease of travel in our state. Gratitude to all for contributing their bit to improve our people’s ease of life!”.
State Civil Aviation Minister Nakap Nalo expressed his delight and said that Arunachal’s tourism sector will benefit highly once the airport becomes operational as it will become easy for international and domestic tourists to reach the state.
Once the operational, it will be Arunachal Pradesh`s third airport after Pasighat and Tezu airports and northeast India`s 16th airport.
