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The state-of-the-art Hollongi airport near Itanagar is slated to connect the erstwhile isolated North East state of India.
What’s In It?
In a recent move, the Finance Ministry has approved the construction of the Hollongi Airport in Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, which will redefine its economic narrative. It’s a welcome change as it will improve the state’s connectivity with the rest of the country, give a big boost to the tourism industry as well as enable Itanagar to shed the tag of being the only Indian state capital without air connectivity yet.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is going to build this greenfield airport which will boast of hi-tech construction, a 2200 mts.-long runway stretching across 320 acres and ultra modern facilities. The project, which is estimated to cost Rs. 1055 crores, has been allotted an area that lies 25 kms. from Itanagar. Mr. Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, announced that our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be laying the foundation stone of the airport on 8th February 2019, after which the construction will begin. While at present the airport will handle domestic flights only, in the future, travel to international destinations may also become a reality.