The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju formally inaugurated the much awaited Advanced Landing Ground at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh today, opening a new chapter in the history of the state. Widening its communication, now Pasighat in East Siang District is connected by air with rest part of the world. Spectacular landing of Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jet has proven the strength of IAF. Air Chief Marshal Hari Kumar, Air Force Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command, and large number of civil and military dignitaries were present. It is worth mentioning that legendary Bollywood Singer Ms. Asha Bhosle also witnessed the historic event.
The Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) has brought Pasighat on the air map of the country and will give a huge fillip to tourism in the state. The pristine and picturesque landscape of Pasighat, on the banks of river Siang, will become accessible to the rest of the world. The project includes facilities of Air Traffic Control tower, perimeter road and security wall. It will facilitate operation of Fixed Wing Aircraft as well as helicopters for both the civil and military purposes. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) is in the process of setting up a Civil Terminal.
Soon after the inauguration, Shri Rijiju while addressing on the occasion, termed that today’s event will be written in golden letters in the history of Arunachal Pradesh in particular and India as a whole and the fact that, after Tezpur and Chabua, Sukhoi can be landed only at Pasighat ALG in the North-Eastern Region, is a matter of pride. The ALG, which was a small strip previously, was taken over by the IAF in February, 2010 and upgraded. The new runway surface and other infrastructure built are similar to the other upgraded ALGs, added Shri Rijiju. On the occasion Shri Rijiju also paid floral tributes to the two prominent freedom fighters from the State.