Aviation Infrastructure Giving Wings to North East Aspirations: Rammohan Naidu

The Ministry of Civil Aviation organized the North East Region Ministers’ Conference on Civil Aviation 2025 and the 3rd North East Aviation Summit in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Chief Guest and Arunachal CM Pema Khandu highlighted that connectivity is the most critical driver of growth in the North East. He said that in the last decade, aviation infrastructure has expanded rapidly, with UDAN playing a key role in making long-awaited airports in Arunachal a reality.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu stressed the importance of Centre–State–Industry collaboration for faster aviation growth in the region. He noted that operational airports in the North East have increased from nine in 2014 to 16 today, aircraft movements have nearly doubled, and passenger traffic has grown more than threefold. He also announced four free pre-feasibility studies for Greenfield airports in the region every year to encourage states to plan new airports.

State leaders including Mizoram CM Lalduhoma, Arunachal’s Civil Aviation Minister Balo Raja, Sikkim’s Minister Tshering Bhutia, and Assam’s Minister Jogen Mohan emphasized the role of aviation in boosting connectivity, tourism, trade, and employment. They called for faster operationalization of airports like Pakyong, expansion of cargo facilities for local produce, and policy support to attract private investment.

Over 70 industry stakeholders, along with senior officials from all eight North Eastern states, DGCA, and AAI, participated in the summit. FICCI provided industry interface. Key sessions covered airport and helipad development models, UDAN, aviation skilling, and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS)

The Minister also highlighted India’s rise as the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market and reaffirmed aviation’s role as a critical enabler of Viksit Bharat @2047.

Earlier, the Union Minister and Arunachal CM inaugurated the new terminal at Donyi Polo Airport, enhancing its capacity to 1 million passengers annually. They also opened the UDAN Yatri Café, a crèche, and an AVSAR shop for artisans. The terminal began operations with an Indigo flight to Delhi.