HOLLONGI, Oct 30: The environmental public hearing for the greenfield airport at Hollongi was conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB) in collaboration with the Papum Pare district administration at Patila here on Tuesday.
Seeking public support, Deputy Commissioner Dr Joram Beda, who chaired the hearing, said every state capital in the country, except Itanagar, is connected through an airport.
“It is a dream of not only the people of Hollongi but every single citizen of the state to see our pristine state connected through an airport,” he said.
The DC informed that environmental and forest clearances are two important procedures, as per the guidelines
of the government India, for taking up any big project.
Responding to queries, he said the administration would conduct a separate public hearing on land acquisition-related matters in the near future.
Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) NE region General Manager (Engg-II) DS Gariya made a presentation on the project, focusing on the environmental impact assessment and the environment management plan with regard to the airport.
He also clarified concerns raised by the project-affected public, and said the coming up of the airport would “not only change the socioeconomic status of the region but also see growth in the tourism sector.”
Land Affected Forum secretary Licha Taji and other project-affected families and the public expressed their support and welcomed the project in the interest of the state’s development.
APSPCB Member Secretary Navneet Kumar Srivastava also spoke.
Various issues related to environmental impact were discussed during the hearing.
Among others, Balijan ADC Tasso Gambo, the Papum Pare DLRSO, and other officers from the district administration, the APSPCB, and the AAI were present at the hearing. (DIPRO)
