NEW DELHI: In a major fillip to India’s military capabilities to counter Chinese aggression on the Eastern border, the Pasighat advanced landing ground (ALG) in Arunachal Pradesh was operationalised on Friday. It will allow frontline fighter jets like Sukhoi-30 MKI to land and take off.
Enhancing its airpower capability in the Eastern sector, four other advanced landing grounds — Walong, Ziro, Along and Mechuka — have been recently upgraded and are operational now. Two ALGs at Tuting and Tawang are expected to be ready by the year-end, while the ALG at Vijaynagar would be reconstructed as soon as the road connectivity between Miao and Vijaynagar is restored.
Terming it a red letter day in the history of the State, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said with the formal inauguration of the ALG that is capable of operating all types of aircraft and helicopters after Tezpur and Chabua, development process has started in the State which was lagging behind even after 70 years of Independence.
Air Marshal C Hari Kumar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command, who was present on the occasion said, “The ALG would enhance air support capability for the Army, paramilitary forces and the civil administration and would facilitate air connectivity for the people of Arunachal Pradesh with the rest of the country.”
Pasighat ALG is a strategic asset and would be one of the operating bases under the Eastern Air Command capable of operating all types of aircraft and helicopters, said an Eastern Air Command spokesperson. Operationalisation of this ALG would not only improve the response time for various operational situations but also the efficacy of the air operations in the Eastern frontier.
Rijiju said, “The Northeast region, abundant with rich natural resources, is lagging behind in terms of development due to various reasons and the NDA government is committed to its development.” “The Northeast, a jewel in the country’s crown, was known to the rest of the country only after the 1962 Chinese aggression,” he said.
Rijiju added that the commitment of the Centre was proved after Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed all ministers to personally visit the region along with departmental officers to oversee requirements.