Airports Authority of India (AAI) has undertaken several projects to improve airport infrastructure and connect major cities within the Northeast region to the rest of the country. It has also collaborated with various stakeholders to achieve seamless connectivity in the region. SanmukhJugani, Regional Executive Director, Airports Authority of India, North Eastern Region, shares details of the authority’s efforts and upcoming projects.How has Airports Authority of India contributed to the expansion of air connectivity in the Northeast region, particularly with regard to the addition of new airports to its Network? Airports Authority of India (AAI) has taken several steps towards the expansion of air connectivity in the northeast region(NER). These include: A new Greenfield airport at Hollongi at Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh has been constructed. The airport was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on November 19, 2022. It is now connected by airwith the major cities of India like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pasighat, Ziro, Dibrugarh, and Guwahati within Northeastern Region. Rupsi Airport in the Dhubri District of Assam has been inaugurated in October, 2019 and put into commercial operation in May2021 after major revamp works.Now flights are operating from Rupsi Airport to the cities like Kolkata and Guwahati.Tezu Airport in the state Arunachal Pradesh has also been operationalisedfrom August 2021 connecting cities like Dibrugarh, Guwahati and Imphal. Moreover, a total of43 new air routes have been added and operationalisedfrom various airports in northeast (NE) Region under Regional Connectivity (RCS), UDANscheme of Government of India. Tell us about the upcoming projects in the northeast region that are being undertaken by AAI.Are any of this part of the defense infrastructure plan? The followings are some of the airport development projects undertaken by AAI at different airports in the northeast: In view of the ever-increasing passenger traffic growth, new terminal buildingsat Imphaland TezuAirports are being constructed. The workis almost completed at Tezu Airport, whereas the terminal at Imphal is scheduled to be completed in July 2024. Required land has been acquired from the state government for the development of airport infrastructure at Lilabari Airport.For Jorhat Airport, some land has been acquired whereas the balance is yet to be acquired. New Instrumental Landing System (ILS) facility is being replaced or installed at Dibrugarh, Agartala, Imphal and Dimapur airports for smooth flight operations. New DVOR facility is being installed or replaced at Dibrugarh and Imphal airports. While new hangarsare under construction at Dibrugarhand Imphal airports,the construction of hangar has been completed at Agartala. New ATC buildings are being constructed at Dibrugarh, Hollongi, Tezu and Shillong Airports. A New Integrated Cargo Complex is being constructed at Imphal Airport, which is nearing completion and likely to be commissioned soon. At Agartala, it is already completed. How has the Airports Authority of India collaborated with other stakeholders to achieve the goal of seamless connectivity in the northeast region? AAI is collaborating with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to get administrative approval andestimate sanction (AA & ES) fromPIB and CCEA for projects with an estimated cost of more than Rs 500 crore.The process of seeking various approval and clearances for the greenfield airports is done through MoCA, Government of India. To resolve issues such astransfer of land and exchange of land for developmentof airport infrastructure and facilities, cases are being pursuedwith other ministries such asDefence and External Affairsthrough Ministry of Civil Aviation. Furthermore, AAI is working closely with the concerned state governments of the northeast region for acquisition of land for various airport development projects, for providing a proper approach road to airport, and removal of various obstacles like trees, buildings, high mast towers in the airport vicinity, which are causing obstacles for safe and secured aircraft operations.Cooperation of the state is also sought to resolve problems related to drainage, power supply, water supply and wild life/bird hazard control. Lastly, AAI engagesprivate players for development of airport infrastructure through tenders.The authority is collaborating with various private players to supply, installation, testing and commissioning (SITC)of different kind of equipment and machines for airport operations. AirportProjects Currently Underway or Being Planned Works for runway extension at the Dibrugarh Airport is almost in the completion stage. A greenfield airport is under planningat Silchar for which most of the required land has been acquired bythe Government of Assam. Required land has been acquired from the Government of Assam for development of airport infrastructureatLilabari Airport.At Jorhat Airport, some landhas been acquired and some land is under acquisition. Requirement of additional land for the development of Rupsi (Assam) and Dimapur (Nagaland)airports have been taken up with respective stategovernments.Once the land is received, works for upgrading airport infrastructure will be started.