EMN
DIMAPUR, JULY 31
THE air services in Nagaland have hit an all time low. Five flights a week, erratic and unpredictable service, irregular flights, consistent rescheduling, poor punctuality, outdated aircrafts, a pathetic airport, below par standard of service across the board and a dirty airport sums up the state of affairs.
Nagaland, the 16th State of the Indian Union, has only one airport and one railhead and is landlocked. The state capital, Kohima has been crying out for an airport for the past decades but Delhi is yet to wake up to the need. Though Dimapur is connected by rail, the fact of the matter is that there are only 8 kilometres of rail line in the entire State. This line was built during the British era and not an inch has been increased till now.
On Tuesday, July 29, passengers travelling on Air India flight AI 705 had a harrowing experience. The flight which was scheduled for 1330 hours managed to take off from Dimapur only at 5.30 pm. No refreshments or any sort of relief was arranged for the passengers who had to bear with heat and humidity of the Dimapur summer as the Dimapur Airport does not have air-conditioning. On boarding the aircraft, the passengers were in for another shock as the flight had to fly to Agartala for refuelling. This sector took an hour and ten minutes with additional time of landing, taxing, refuelling and take-off. Only then the flight headed towards its original destination, Kolkata.
The flight had to be directed to Agartala for refuelling since Dimapur is now not permitted to refuel aircraft from July 26 onwards.
Another disadvantage that Dimapur Airport faces is the presence of a no fly zone in the flight path due to Air Force flying. Because of this no-fly zone, flights to and from Dimapur connecting to Kolkata and Guwahati have to take a much longer route which increases the operating costs.
The State government had in the past taken up the matter of allowing a corridor for commercial flights with the Centre but here too the request has not been entertained so far.
The problem of poor air services in Nagaland has been taken up by the State government for the past several years but the services have further deteriorated.
So far as the infrastructure facilities in Dimapur airport are concerned, the lesser said the better.
Even the present MP in the Lok Sabha and former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had taken up the matter with the civil aviation minister and even the Prime Minister only recently.
It is to be seen if the Modi sarkar will address the problem in a serious manner and fulfill urgent requirements of an entire State in the field of connectivity and air services. As of now Nagaland remains neglected and forgotten by the people and leaders who matter in the corridors of power in New Delhi.
