Imphal, March 07: After Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had declared that Tulihal Airport would be upgraded to facilitate landing at night during his visit to the State last year, a high level meeting presided by Chief Minister O Ibobi has resolved to introduce air service during night within this month or by next month.

A reliable source informed The Sangai Express that the high level meeting held this morning was attended by Chief Minister O Ibobi, Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home), DGP, Commissioner (Transport), engineers of Manipur Police Housing Corporation and officials of the Airport Authority of India.

The decision to introduce flight service during night at Imphal airport was adopted after reviewing the progress of the ongoing installation work of machineries and equipment to facilitate landing of aeroplanes at night, informed the source.

Under the initiative to enable night landing at Imphal airport, required materials and components for installation of Solar Powered Obstruction Light (SPOL) towers at Maibam Lokpa hills, Nongmaiching hills, Langjing and Cheiraoching have been procured.

Erection of this towers will be completed within 10 days, stated the AAI officials during the meeting.

While the PWD has been entrusted to make approach roads to the spots where the towers will be installed, the Police Housing Corporation has been asked to construct barracks for security personnel who would be posted at the sites of the towers, conveyed the source.

Once the installation of towers is complete, a trial landing during night will be attempted at Tulihal airport, it added.

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