Imphal, April 25: As a step towards implementing the assurance given by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during his last visit to the State for upgrading Tulihal Airport to international standard with all the works including facility for night landing, officials of the Committee on Officers of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) have inspected the condition of the airport.

The Committee is learnt to have conveyed to the State Government that providing necessary infrastructures for night landing would not be a problem at all, but the only essentiality is regular power supply.

Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a reliable source informed that the four-member team of the Committee of Officers of the Airport Authority of India came to Imphal on April 23 to inspect the present condition of the Tulihal Airport in accordance with the assurance given by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during his last visit to the State for upgrading the airport at par with airports in other metropolitan cities of the country.

The four Committee officials conducted a detailed inspection of the present condition of the Tulihal to find out in what manner it can be developed and expansion carried out, the source said, adding that the upgradation would be planned to last for the next 25 years.

The officials were also amenble over the possibility of making arrangement for landing of cargo planes and other passengers fleet at one time.

The AAI officials were of the view that a separate facility for landing cargo planes should be developed in the open space in front of the present airport.

Since the existing terminal of the airport is rather small, the officials mooted setting up a bigger terminal where passengers can board the planes or alight at the same terminal itself.

At the time of upgrading the airport, attention would also be paid for construction of an attached hostel for accommodating stranded passengers if case of cancellation of their flights or in other unforeseen circumstances, the source disclosed.

After inspection yesterday, the AAI officials held a joint meeting with top officials of the State Government including the Chief Secretary to discuss matters related to the development of the airport and to seek their opinion on the issue.

During the said meeting, the AAI officials reportedly conveyed to the State Government to take up necessary measures for acquisition of the required land for the expansion of the airport.

With regard to providing night landing facility at the airport, the visiting officials made it clear to the State Government that setting up necessary infrastructure for the same would not be a problem and all that the Government need to do is to ensure regular and uninterrupted power supply.

If this can be assured than necessary works for the night landing can begin any time ,according to the source.

The source further disclosed that the officials of the Airport Authority of India were very keen on knowing what are the projects which are being taking up or would be taken up in future for generation of power in the State.

It may be noted here the two signal towers at the airport which were used during night time and bad weather have been allegedly destroyed by some anti-social elements some time back.

The AAI officials also reportedly called on the Chief Minister before leaving Imphal.

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