The expanse of the state and its non-existent road network has been the biggest drawback for Arunachal Pradesh despite being well endowed with nature’s bounty. Lack or poor roads is a major constraint for development and during emergencies especially health and disaster times the situation becomes desperate. Since the NEFA days, it was the helicopters which were the lifeline— from ferrying ration items to evacuating medical patients etc.

Therefore, coming up of ALGs in remote border towns has opened up the possibility of air connectivity yet again.

Therefore, the Defence Ministry giving the go-ahead for dual use of Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in Arunachal Pradesh is a huge milestone for this communication-laggard state. The decision has not only brought smiles on citizens faces but also is a huge accomplishment for the young Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who since taking over has been pursuing the Centre to allow ALGs to be used for civilians purposes as well.

If the ALGs become operational for civil and commercial purposes, it will give a major boost to air connectivity and development of the land locked state. Imagine what it can do for the pristine undiscovered places from tourism perspective.

Over time there has been a growing demand for allowing dual use of theALGs to cater to defence as well as civilian purposes. Looking at the ground realities, there is logic in the demand. There is a need for working out an arrangement for concurrent use in peacetime of the airstrips being developed by the Defence Ministry and Airports Authority of India since these airstrips are also crucial for the needs of administration and tourism. Such a symbiosis would be of great use in case of evacuation of patients, for use by the NDRF and SDRF during disasters and also by law enforcement agencies.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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