NLA session sees heated debate on Ciethu & Ruzaphema airport projects

Morung Express News 
Kohima | February 10

Contention over the proposed airport at Ciethu and Ruzaphema marked day 3 of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly’s (NLA) 5th session on February 10. 

In a starred question raised by MLA Dr. Ngangshi K. Ao, on whether the technical feasibility report had been obtained from the Airport Authority of India or Civil Aviation, Paiwang Konyak, Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation and Railways replied that the issue “does not arise at this stage.”

 
The Minister informed that as advised by the Centre, a tender has been floated and is expected to be finalised shortly. On being asked whether the Airport Authority of India has approved the technical feasibility report in respect of proposed alternative Airport of the State at Ruzaphema, Konyak replied that "in line with the National Policy of having Airports in every State capital, the state government is pursuing with the Government of India for the construction of an Airport at Ciethu for the State capital Kohima."

For the proposed Ruzaphema airport, Konyak informed that it has been put on hold due to the issue of land acquisition where landowners are said to have demanded Rs. 50 per.sq.ft. 

"For an airport, we require at least 500 acres of land, and roughly calculating the cost would amount to Rs. 10,8,90,000 which is a big amount. As per the Ministry of Civil Aviation policy on Greenfields airport, it clearly says that the land has to be provided by State governments free of cost. Secondly it says that it should be in the capital and should not be within 150 km aerial view. So we have come back to Ciethu," said Konyak.

However, Leader of the Opposition, TR Zeliang retorted back reminding that during his time as CM, his government had approached both the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) several times for the Ruzaphema airport, where both aerial and ground survey were conducted and feasibility report was approved by the AAI authority. Following which negotiation with landowners began. 

Zeliang also noted that his government had entrusted the Dimapur DC to settle the land issue with the village council and finally a settlement was made at Rs.22 per. sq.ft. Questioning if the Ciethu airport can become an international airport, Zeliang said, "When there is no technical feasibility report (for Ciethu), you are going to spend time and money again on the new proposed project. How can the government afford to pay land compensation when the technical feasibility report is not completed or approved?”

The Minister said he did not have any relevant paper regarding the negotiations at Rs. 22. Stating that the Ruzaphema project has not been abandoned, Konyak informed that the Ciethu Airport was proposed in 2007 and the land had already been procured. 

"At present people are willing to give more land for the airport. The question of Ciethu airport being an international airport does not arise. We are strictly following the guidelines of Civil Aviation," he stated, adding that the final feasibility as to what type of planes would fly to Ciethu will only be determined by the consultant after submitting the DPR.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio argued that one should not make an issue over having an airport in the capital Kohima or Ruzaphema. He informed that Ciethu has the potential to have a 4.4 km runway compared to the present existing airport which only has 2.4 km runway. Rio said that Ciethu airport is the only available area in and around the capital.

"Ruzaphema has potential, but I think this should not be a bone of contention. I don't want to talk further about this. Our people have obstructed many developmental activities," he added.