On November 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Arunachal Pradesh’s first greenfield airport, Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar. PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the airport in February 2019, and despite the challenges due to the pandemic, the work was completed in a short period of time.
The name of the airport reflects the traditions and rich cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh and its age-old indigenous reverence to the Sun (‘Donyi’) and the Moon (‘Polo’).
PM Modi built 7 airports in the North-East
Donyi Polo Airport will be Arunachal Pradesh’s third operational airport, bringing the total number of airports in the North-East region to 16. Only 9 airports were built in the North East between 1947 and 2014. In the eight years since the Modi government has built seven airports in the North-East.
The airport was built on an area of over 690 acres at a cost of over Rs 640 crore. The airport’s 2300 m runway suitable for all-weather day operations. The airport terminal is a modern structure that promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resource recycling.
The construction of a new airport in Itanagar will not only improve connectivity in the region, but will also serve as a catalyst for the expansion of trade and tourism, boosting the region’s economic development.
This rapid development of airports in the region has been made possible by PM Modi’s special emphasis on improving connectivity in the North-East. Flights have taken off for the first time in 75 years at airports in five northeastern states: Mizoram, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. Aircraft movement in the North East has also increased by 113% since 2014, from 852 per week in 2014 to 1817 per week in 2022.
During the programme, the Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation the 600 MW Kameng Hydro Power Station. The project, developed at a cost of more than Rs 8450 crore and spread over more than 80 kilometres in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng District, will make Arunachal Pradesh a power surplus state while also benefiting the National Grid in terms of grid stability and integration. This project will make a significant contribution to the country’s commitment to increase green energy adoption.
