Shillong, August 16: Hon’ble Sh Kiren Rijiju Mos for home affairs accompained by Air Marshal C Hari Kumar AVSM VM VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command, Indian Air Force will arrive at Pasighat to inaugurate the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) on 19 Aug 16.
The biggest benefit of the Pasighat airfield will be felt by the people of Arunachal Pradesh, who will get connected to the rest of the country by air. Coming on the civil aviation map of the country will bring in large number of tourists to this pristine and picturesque town located on the banks of Siang river, leading to greater happiness and prosperity to the local population.
Pasighat ALG is a strategic asset and will be one of the operating bases under the Eastern Air Command capable of operating all types of aircraft and helicopters. Activation of this ALG will not only improve our response time for various operational situations but also the efficacy of our Air Operations in the eastern frontier. It will enhance our air support capability for Army, Paramilitary Forces and the Civil Administration.
The ALG at Pasighat was earlier partly paved and partly grassy, and small in size. In order to bolster up our operational capability in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, the IAF took over the ALG in February 2010 and started the aviation infrasructure development. Presently, the development work is coming to an end and a spanking new airfield is ready for operational use.
Pasighat is predominantly inhabited by the Adi people who are known for their colourful Ponung dance and war dance called Taapu. The town is well connected with road and has frequent services from Guwahat, Lakhimpur and Itanagar. The nearest rail head is at Murkongselek which is the terminal station of the Rangia-Murkongselek broad gauge track, nearly 38 Km from Pasighat. The Rail head is proposed to be extended up to Pasighat.
Pasighat is a small cantonment and administrative town in the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh in North East India. It is the oldest town in the state and popularly known as the gateway to Arunachal Pradesh. Founded in 1911 by the British for the administration of the far flung areas of the greater Abor Hills and other areas which were inaccessible and bereft of basic facilities and communication, the town has come a long way. Today, it is a busting township and the only town from Arunachal Pradesh selected for development as a smart city.
