Northeast to get international air connectivity

Imphal: The Northeastern states of the country are set to get international air routes with the launch of the International Air Connectivity Scheme (IACS).

The Ministry of Civil Aviation aims to promote socio-economic growth in the region with the international air routes to Bangkok, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Yangon, Hanoi, Mandalay, Kunming and Chittagong from two international airports in the region.

The region also has two international airports, viz Guwahati, operated by the Guwahati International Airport Limited (GIAL) and Imphal, operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Both GIAL and AAI have started the construction of the New Integrated Terminal Building or NITB, along with a host of other development works at their respective airports to increase passenger handling capacity and to improve the services of the airports, according to the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen. (Dr) V. K. Singh (Retd) in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

Imphal Airport’s New Integrated Terminal Building is being built at the cost of INR 500 crore and can handle 2.4 million passengers per annum. At the same time, a new terminal building has been constructed at Agartala Airport while keeping in mind the future requirement for international operations.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren Singh interacted with Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia through video conferencing from Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Wednesday (April 13) and discussed various issues to improve air connectivity in Manipur and upgrade Bir Tikendrajit International Airport.

During the virtual meeting, N Biren Singh highlighted the need to increase the number of helipads in Manipur and introduce a business class flight connecting New Delhi and Imphal, among others.

The Union Aviation Minister also assured to provide seamless air connectivity from Manipur.