Donyi Polo Airport Terminal Inaugurated to Boost Arunachal Connectivity
08 Sep 2025 CW Team
The new terminal at Donyi Polo Airport, Hollongi, Arunachal Pradesh, was inaugurated by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The upgraded facility is expected to ease congestion, improve flight operations, and boost trade and tourism in the state.
IndiGo will increase flight frequency on the Delhi route from four days a week to daily operations starting September 17, complementing existing connections to Guwahati, Kolkata, and Tezu.
Calling the day a “happy day for civil aviation” in Arunachal, Naidu noted that in the last 11 years, the number of airports, aircraft, and passengers in India has doubled, reflecting the government’s commitment to connectivity.
Khandu said, “The upgraded terminal brings greater ease to students, entrepreneurs, and families traveling for education, business, and healthcare. Until now, services were handled from a temporary facility. With this new terminal, we are not just improving infrastructure, we are improving lives.”
Built at a cost of about Rs 640 crore, the greenfield airport—Arunachal’s first, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2022—can now handle 800 passengers at a time, up from 150 at the temporary terminal, with an annual capacity of nearly 15 lakh passengers.
New passenger-focused initiatives launched include the UDAN Yatri Café, a library for travellers, the AVASAR programme to promote local artisans and women entrepreneurs, and a dedicated kids’ store. Free Wi-Fi, additional charging stations, and workspaces are planned soon.
Naidu added, “Airports should reflect regional culture and serve as more than just transit points.” The inauguration coincided with the Northeastern Ministerial Conference in Itanagar to strengthen centre–state coordination on development priorities.
News source: Hindustan Times