Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Arunachal Pradesh’s first Greenfield Airport – Donyi Polo Airport – 25 km from Itanagar. A greenfield airport is an airport that is built from scratch on a new (undeveloped) site. The airport is expected to play a major role in improving connectivity and also contribute to the growth of trade and tourism in the region, Dilip Sajnani, director, Airports Authority of India, told . “Tomorrow, November 19, is a special day for Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast. Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar will be inaugurated. It is the 1st greenfield airport in the state. Commerce and connectivity benefit immensely from this project,” PM Modi tweeted on Friday evening.
Highlighted points at Arunachal’s 1st green field airport
•The airport was built on an area of over 690 acres at a cost of over ₹640 crore. It has a 2,300 m long runway and is suitable for all-weather operations, according to a government statement.
• The name of the airport reflects the traditions and rich cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh and the ancient tribal reverence for the Sun (‘Donyi’) and the Moon (‘Polo’) in the state Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) highlighted in the pre-launch release.
•The airport terminal is a modern building that promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and resource recycling. The Hollongi terminal was built at a cost of around ₹ 955 crore on an area of 4,100 sq m and has a peak handling capacity of 200 passengers per hour.
• Arunachal Pradesh currently has two airports – one at Pasighat and the other at Tezu. Donyi Polo Airport will be the third operational airport in Arunachal Pradesh and the first in its capital Itanagar, taking the total number of airports in the Northeast to 16. The foundation stone of this airport was laid by Prime Minister Modi in 2019.
• Commissioning of the 600 MW Kameng hydropower plant, Meanwhile, the launch event will also witness PM Modi dedicating the 600 MW Kameng hydropower plant to the nation. The power plant was developed at a cost of over ₹8,450 crore and the project aims to transform Arunachal Pradesh into an energy surplus state. The project is in line with India’s commitment to move towards green energy initiatives and will also benefit the National Grid in terms of grid stability and integration.
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