Supongmeren Jamir urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to resolve the Assam Rifles land issue delaying Dimapur Airport expansion.
Share
DIMAPUR — A decade-long stalemate over land held by the Assam Rifles continues to stall the much-needed expansion of Dimapur Airport, prompting Lok Sabha MP Supongmeren Jamir to seek urgent intervention from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
In a formal communication to the MHA, Jamir raised the long-pending issue of 148.58 acres of airport land currently under the occupation of Assam Rifles Training Centre & School (ARTC&S), Dimapur—stressing that the delay has severely hampered the only airport serving Nagaland.
Highlighting the strategic importance of Dimapur Airport for connectivity, emergency services, trade and economic growth, the MP wrote that the expansion project has remained in limbo for over a decade due to land constraints, despite clear documentary evidence establishing ownership of the land by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
Jamir pointed out that official records show that 392.72 acres of Dimapur Airfield land was formally handed over by the Indian Air Force to the National Airports Authority—now AAI—with effect from September 1, 1987.
He cited 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 to substantiate the claim.
According to a joint survey and verification report dated February 29, 2024, 148.58 acres of this land—already transferred to AAI—is presently occupied by the Assam Rifles.
Jamir further pointed out that defence records indicate land allotted to Assam Rifles near the airfield in the early 1960s was on a temporary basis, and that the force has since been provided alternative land elsewhere in Nagaland for its training establishments.
He reminded the MHA that the AAI has already submitted two master plans for Dimapur Airport, proposing construction of a new terminal building, expansion of parking bays and upgrading facilities.
However, these projects cannot move forward due to the non-availability of land, resulting in continued safety, security and infrastructure limitations at the airport.
Calling for immediate action, Jamir urged the MHA to issue necessary directions for the transfer of the 148.58 acres presently occupied by the Assam Rifles to AAI, in line with established records, to enable long-overdue modernisation of the airport.