ILS Work at Mizoram Airport To Be Completed By Next Month

New Delhi, Feb 9 : Civil works relating to installation of Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Mizoram's Lengpui airport is likely to be completed by next month, with the Centre approving nearly Rs 51 crore for the purpose.

After a recent meeting with Civil Aviation Ministry officials, Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Minister B K Handique approved Rs 50.93 crore for installation of the ILS equipment at the Lengpui Airport in Aizawl, an official spokesperson said here.

At the meeting, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India and the Mizoram Government reached an understanding to complete the civil works pertaining to the ILS within March 31.

On installation, the DGCA would grant technical clearance to the ILS, following which a team of pilots will be trained to operate to and from the Lengpui airport.

North Eastern Council has so far sanctioned Rs 19.42 crore towards the infrastructure development of the airport.

At the meeting, Handique said his Ministry was committed to strengthen infrastructure at various airports in the Northeastern region, with special focus on those like Lengpui which fall in a landlocked state like Mizoram.

Handique expressed hope that after the implementation of ILS, Lengpui airport will be able to offer regular flights, which is not possible at present due to issues relating to bad terrain, security concerns and lack of ILS.

The DoNER Ministry has also sought expeditious completion of pending airport projects like the one to upgrade and operationalise airport at Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh at a total cost of Rs 79 crores.