Move to revive abandoned airstrips

Guwahati: A number of airstrips from the British days are lying unused in different parts of Assam, particularly in the upper Assam districts and the possibility of using the same for improving connectivity is being explored. However, for that, the Ministry of Civil Aviation will have to play a major role, while, private entrepreneurs would also have to come forward in this regard.
The idea of making use of the abandoned airstrips cropped up during a meeting between Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Pradyut Bordoloi and a delegation of the Czech Republic recently and the NEDFi has held preliminary talks with an aviation company of Czech Republic on the issue. However, the concept is in the preliminary stage only.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, Bordoloi said today that a number of abandoned airstrips could be utilised in the days to come to improve connectivity not only in Assam but also in other parts of the region. He said that though the exact number of such abandoned airstrips is not immediately available, it is a fact that a number of airstrips constructed by the British during the World War II are lying abandoned and in fact, the Government organized the Dihing-Patkai festival on one such abandoned airstrip. He pointed out that several other airstrips including the Rupshi airport in Dhubri district are lying unused for years and the possibility of making use of those could be explored.
Bordoloi pointed out that a number of tea gardens of Assam also have their own airstrips. According to records available with the Government, at least 18 airstrips are in possession of the tea gardens and companies including Magor and around 10 of those are in usable condition. He said that of the tea companies having airstrips, only Magor is using those for visits of senior officials.
The Minister, however, pointed out that the State Government alone cannot take a decision on making use of the abandoned airstrips for improving connectivity and the Ministry of Civil Aviation would have to deal with the matter. He also said that the private entrepreneurs would also have to come forward for operating small aircrafts by using the abandoned airstrips.
28/10/08 R Dutta Choudhury/Assam Tribune

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Oct 2008, New Oct 2008