Itanagar
Chief Minister Pema Khandu today said a new chapter in the history of Arunachal Pradesh has begun with the successful test-landing of the Alliance aircraft – ATR 42 at civil terminal of the Pasighat advanced landing ground (ALG) at about 12.30 hours today.
Congratulating the people, especially those from the eastern and central districts of the state, on the achievement, Khandu said that one of the greatest challenges of connectivity facing the state has been overcome.
He profusely thanked the officials of state civil aviation department, East Siang district administration, the Air-Force, Indian Army, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airport Authority of India (AAI), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Ministry of Civil Aviation and the people of Pasighat for cooperating and coordinating in successful completion of the ALG and the subsequent test-landing of an Alliance aircraft.
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The test-landing was overseen by officials of DGCA, BCAS, AAI and representatives of Alliance airlines in coordination with the district administration and officials of the state civil aviation department.
“Soon we would have the first civilian aircraft fly off from Pasighat and I am optimistic the same would follow in various ALGs of the state encompassing our state in the country’s flight map. This may look a simple step to many but is one giant leap for us,” Khandu said in a statement here this evening.
The Chief Minister also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is taking special care of Arunachal Pradesh and the North East in all spheres of development, especially in the connectivity sector.
The Alliance aircraft with its crew members reached Pasighat from Guwahati in about two hours twenty minutes. They were accorded a warm reception at Pasighat led by local legislator Kaling Moyong.
