Fresh controversy has erupted over the proposed green field airport at Hollongi. The land owners have alleged that a committee headed by land management minister Nabam Rebia which was constituted by state government last year to settle land dispute at airport site submitted a report declaring the indigenous landowners of Hollongi and Kokila as occupiers of government land. They took offense to the report and have served 10 days ultimatum to state government to rectify it. However, Rebia himself has come out in public to allay fears and alleged that some people with vested interest are trying to derail the airport project.
The state government should immediately hold dialogue with the land affected families and clarify this whole issue. No one should be allowed to create hurdle in the construction of green field airport using this issue. People of capital region have waited for a very long period to get airport project. After much controversy recently the government of India approved the Hollongi green field airport project. Itanagar simply cannot waste this opportunity to have an airport of its own. State government should walk extra mile to kick-start the worked at the earliest. The land owners of Hollongi should also play constructive role. Till now they have shown maturity by extending wholehearted support to the project. The statement of Green Field Airport Land Affected Peoples Forum welcoming the project is a good sign and it shows that indigenous people of Hollongi truly support the project. It’s now or never. If this time also project fails to take off, it will be a disaster and perhaps will be end of the road for the Hollongi airport project. Few greedy people should not be allowed to derail this prestigious project for their personal benefit. The people of Hollongi should remain vigil against such persons.