Arunachal: ALG Ziro in radar of IAF top brass
Among others, the issues of few high rise buildings coming up near the ALG, boundary issue and extension of the runway were some of the key issues discussed during the meeting.
ZIRO- The Advanced Landing Ground at Ziro has the potential to be a bigger and role model ALG in the state if the required parameters are met, said Air Officer Commanding, Eastern Air Command Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan here yesterday.
In course of his maiden visit to the ALG yesterday, the Air Marshal had a round of discussion with the District Administration on the various issues affecting the 2016 constructed ALG and the hindrances from making Ziro ALG as one of the most coveted ALG in the state.
Among others, the issues of few high rise buildings coming up near the ALG, boundary issue and extension of the runway were some of the key issues discussed during the meeting. The visiting Air Marshal requested the district administration to explore the possibility of extension of the present runway with suitable compensation to the affected landowners.
While according a warm welcome to the visiting Air Marshal, Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Bamin Nime urged him to facilitate holding an ‘orientation course’ for the prospective educated unemployed tribal candidates of the district to be recruited in various technical and non-technical posts at the Indian Air Force. ‘Similar to Army Brigade Hqs.of West Kameng and Tawang who provide free coaching to tribal students for entry to Sainik Schools and later to NDA, the Indian Air Force should also facilitate and provide free orientation courses to our educated unemployed youth to be able to face the interview and get recruited at the Indian Air Force’, requested Nime, to which the Air Marshal agreed in principle.
The DC was also accompanied by S.P Sachin Singhal, DMO Dr.Tage Kanno, ALG constructing agency headed by EE PWD Er.Likha Togu and ALG nodal officer and DFCSO Hage Tath.
It may be mentioned here that the present runway of the ALG is 1.3 kms which is feasible for a small aircraft like Dornier to land. ‘The required runway for a bigger 50-seater ATR aircraft is 1.5 km. Hence, Ziro ALG is in need of another 200 metres of land at the northern side for a bigger and more comfortable ATR aircraft to land’, informed Wing Commdr (Retd) Gyati Kago, while adding that for a bigger and better Civil Terminal, another 2.5 acres of land was also required.
Informing the differences between small 16-seater Dornier and 50-seater ATR aircraft, Kago informed that Dornier aircrafts cannot fly above 12,000 feet, do not have instrument landing facility and are devoid of comforts normally associated with a passenger plane including toilet. On the other hand, the 50-seater ATR aircraft has all the latest facilities, instruments and comfort which would best suit Ziro if additional land is made available for extension of the present runway, explained Kago.(DIPRO).
