Dimapur, February 6: Nagaland Lok Sabha MP S Supongmeren Jamir has urged the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to step in and resolve a long-standing land dispute that has stalled the expansion of Dimapur Airport for more than a decade.
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| Dimapur Airport |
In a formal representation to the MHA, Jamir highlighted that 148.58 acres of land required for the airport’s expansion is currently under the occupation of the Assam Rifles Training Centre & School (ARTC&S), despite records indicating that the land belongs to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
Calling Dimapur Airport critical to Nagaland’s connectivity, emergency response, trade and economic development, the MP said the continued land constraint has left the state’s only airport unable to upgrade infrastructure or expand capacity. He noted that official documents show 392.72 acres of Dimapur Airfield land was formally transferred from the Indian Air Force to the then National Airports Authority - now AAI with effect from September 1, 1987.
Jamir cited multiple records to support the claim, including handing-over and taking-over reports, correspondence from the Defence Estates Officer, Jorhat Circle, Government of India communications from 1990 and 1991, and entries in the Military Land Register. He further referred to a joint survey and verification report dated February 29, 2024, which confirmed that 148.58 acres of the transferred land is presently occupied by the Assam Rifles.
According to the MP, defence records also indicate that land allotted to the Assam Rifles near the airfield in the early 1960s was temporary in nature, and that the force has since been provided alternative land elsewhere in Nagaland for its training establishments.
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Jamir pointed out that the AAI has already submitted two master plans for Dimapur Airport, proposing construction of a new terminal building, expansion of parking bays and upgradation of facilities. However, he said these projects cannot be implemented without access to the disputed land, resulting in ongoing safety, security and infrastructure limitations.
Urging swift action, the MP called on the MHA to issue necessary directions for the transfer of the 148.58 acres presently under Assam Rifles’ occupation to AAI, in accordance with established records. He stressed that resolving the issue is vital not just from an administrative standpoint, but for the long-term development, connectivity and growth of Nagaland.
