Arunachal ALGs to start functioning by 2014 end

Itanagar, Aug 31 (PTI) The Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs)
for defence purposes in remote parts of eastern Indian state
Arunachal Pradesh would be made functional by the end of 2014,
the Eastern Air Command has informed Governor Gen (Retd) J J
Singh.
A Raj Bhawan statement on Wednesday said Air Vice Marshal
K S Gill called on Singh the previous day and briefed him on
the progress of works in ALGs, which are advanced small
airstrips.
Each of these six facilities at Mechuka, Tuting, Aalo,
Ziro, Walong and Pasighat would have resurfaced and re-laid
runway, Air Traffic Control complex, crash bay, messes,
boundary walls, guard room and related infrastructure.
The facility at Walong in Anjaw district would be made as
a heliport, which is a small airport suitable only for
choppers and containing one or more helipads.
A total of 240 acres would be acquired for extension works
of the runway at Aalo, Pasighat, Tuting, Ziro and Mechuka, the
statement said.
The Air Vice Marshall further informed the Governor that
as an effort to have personnel from the Northeast, the IAF
would set up an Air Force Selection Board at Guwahati and a
fast track selection board at Itanagar.
Assuring his full support in removing any bottleneck for
early completion of the ALGs, the Governor said, these
subsidiary airports would be the vehicle for development and
help in enhancing the socio-economic condition in rural areas
of the state besides boost to tourism.