File photo of Itanagar
The name reflects the Arunachal people’s reverence of the Sun (Donyi) and the Moon (Polo)
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today approved the naming of the new greenfield airport at Hollongi, Itanagar, the State Capital of Arunachal Pradesh as “Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar”.
A resolution was passed by the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh to name the airport ‘Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar’, which reflected the people’s reverence of the Sun (Donyi) and the Moon (Polo), and symbolised the rich cultural heritage of the State.
Presently, two airports, Tezu and Passighat, are operational in Arunachal Pradesh. The Donyi Polo Airport will be the third operational airport for Arunachal Pradesh, taking the total airport count in the North-East region to 16. Till 2014, there were 9 operational airports in the region. Aircraft movements have increased by 113%, from 852 per week in the year 2014 to 1817 per week in 2022.
The requirement of a Greenfield airport at Hollongi, Itanagar was a long pending demand of the people of Arunachal Pradesh. In January 2019, the Government of India gave its “in-principle” approval for the construction of the Hollongi Greenfield Airport. The airport is being developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) with assistance from the Central Government and the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
– global bihari bureau
