Aizawl: The NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC) has requested Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma not to handover Lengpui Airport in Aizawl to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC) is a conglomerate of major civil society organizations and student bodies headed by the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA).
During a meeting with the Chief Minister on Friday, the NGOCC leaders urged the chief minister to review the state government’s decision to handover the airport to the IAF.
The chief minister said that the Lengpui airport is the only airport in the country, which is owned and managed by the state government.
Lalduhoma informed the leaders that while the government desires a standard airport, financial constraints have hindered its ability to maintain the lone airport in the state.
The chief minister told the NGOCC leaders that the state government is willing to continue to own and maintain the airport.
However, he assured that funds would be sought from the finance commission to upgrade the airport and improve its runway.
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The Mizo National Front (MNF) has also opposed the plan to handover the airport to the IAF.
Chief Minister’s Finance Adviser TBC Lalvenchhunga, who headed the Working Committee on Lengpui Airport, said that the cabinet is yet to take a final call on the handover of the airport to the IAF.
Lalvenchhunga said that a draft Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for handing over the Lengpui airport is yet to be completed.
