NE MPs demand international airport

IMPHAL, March 15: MPs of the Northeastern states have urged the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Sharad Yadav to immediately make operational services in Guwahati airport by starting Indian Airlines flights to capital cities of neighbouring countries like Dhaka, Kathmandu and Bangkok. The common body of the MPs of the NE States, Northeast MPs Forum led by its Chairman and MP from Meghalaya PR Kyndiah also urged the Civil Aviation Minister to start morning flights between Guwahati and New Delhi, besides making Guwahati airport the hub of regional air service. The Lok Sabha MP from the outer Manipur parliamentary constituency Holkhomang Haokip also took part in the discussion with the Union minister, an informed source said here today. The Union minister on his part requested the MPs to persuade the Chief Ministers of the regional to do away with the sales tax on the aviation turbine fuel, thereby leading to a cut in prices of airfare in the region. It is reliably learnt that the Civil Aviation Ministry has recently announced constitution of yet another high-level committee to make an assessment of airport infrastructure problems in northeast including lack of adequate air connection. The new high-level committee would have representatives from Civil Aviation ministry, Directorate of Civil Aviation and Airport Authority of India among other departments.