In a significant development for the state of Arunachal Pradesh, Union Minister of Civil Aviation & Steel, Jyotiraditya Scindia, inaugurated the newly upgraded Tezu Airport on Monday. This comes after the inauguration of Donyi Polo Airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2022, marking a substantial leap in enhancing connectivity to the state.
The Tezu Airport upgrade is part of the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagarik (UDAN) regional connectivity scheme, which aims to develop smaller regional airports, making aviation services more accessible to the common citizens. Tezu Airport is now the fourth operational airport in the state, following Donyi Polo, Pasighat, and Ziro airports, and the 17th in the Northeast region.
Minister Scindia highlighted the transformative impact of the UDAN scheme, stating that in the last nine years of the BJP government at the Centre, 75 new airports have been constructed, significantly boosting air connectivity across the country.
“The partnership between Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Pema Khandu is propelling Arunachal to new heights,” remarked Minister Scindia, emphasising the unprecedented development in the northeastern states since 2014.
He further noted the region’s potential as a gateway to Southeast Asian countries, citing its horticultural and agricultural prospects. “Under the leadership of Modi, India’s influence has expanded significantly,” he added.
Speaking nostalgically, Minister Scindia shared a personal connection with Arunachal Pradesh, recalling how his family had played a role in naming the now-famous bordering village of Vijaynagar in the 1960s.
The Tezu Airport’s upgraded infrastructure includes an extended runway, a new apron, a modern terminal building, a fire station, and an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower. These enhancements, costing Rs 170 crore, are poised to strengthen the airport’s capacity and operations.
Spread across 212 acres of land, Tezu Airport is equipped to handle ATR-72-type aircraft. The Airports Authority of India spearheaded the airport’s upgrade, bringing it up to modern aviation standards.
A momentous day for Arunachal Pradesh, as Hon Union Min of Civil Aviation & Steel, Shri @JM_Scindia Ji inaugurated newly developed infrastructure at #TezuAirport.
After inauguration of Donyi Polo Airport by Hon PM Shri @narendramodi Ji in November 2022, the addition of upgraded… pic.twitter.com/F1Mf7LqZZX
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) September 24, 2023
Tezu Airport, operationalized in 2018 under the UDAN scheme, currently connects to Dibrugarh, Imphal, and Guwahati through regular scheduled flights by Alliance Air and Flybig Airlines.
Officials anticipate that the airport’s upgrade will significantly increase its traffic handling capacity, foster better connectivity for the northeastern region with the rest of the country, boost tourism, trade, and employment opportunities in the state.
