AYA demands early construction of civilian termil

From Our Correspondent

Itagar, Aug 21: The Apatani Youth Association (AYA) has demanded construction of a basic civilian termil at the existing Advanced Landing Grounds (ALG) at Ziro in Lower Subansiri district and draige at nearby settlement and WRC area outside the ALG besides, lifting of prohibitory order vide the Gazette of India March, 2011 notification, prohibiting construction of building or structures or planting of trees within a limit of 900 meters from the parapet of the ALG.

AYA President Taku Chatung claimed that the government acquired 38 acres of land for construction of the ALG without adopting proper procedure in the 1950s.

The AYA has drawn the attention of the state Governor, Chief Minister, Minister of State for Home, Chief Secretary, AOC Eastern Air Command and the Lower Subansiri DC many times since May 2014 but to no avail as no action has been initiated by the government as well as IAF/AAI so far.

“The ALG is constructed at the heart of the Ziro Valley surrounding WRC and human settlement areas. As there is no chance of further expansion of lands for construction of a full-fledged civilian termil we therefore, urge the authorities to construct a basic civilian termil at an available area between the parking bay and officers’ mess”, Chatung said.

He further said that due to construction of the ALG, the traditiol draiges have been blocked and as a result the people living in the western side of the ALG are facing the problem of flooding of sewage water which is hazardous for their health.

“Regarding the sewage problem, the Lower Subansiri DC had submitted a proposal to the CC(NEP) AF, Chabua, Assam to construct sewerage vide letter No. PA/Land/2015 dated Jan 19, 2016 and No. Dev/ estimate/ 2014-16 dated March 3, 2016, but the Ministry of Defence, GoI rejected it”, he informed.

The AYA has further expressed its concern over the March, 2011, Gazette of India notification following which the state government issued a prohibitory order stating that no building shall be constructed as well as trees be planted on any land within the limits of 100 meters from the crest of the outer parapet of the helipads, which will extend to 900 meters in case of airfields/ airports or advanced landing grounds.

“Though, we welcome the construction of the ALG, we do not want the locals who have doted the vast area of land to be denied their basic rights and hence oppose the imposition of the prohibitory order”, it stated.

It further claimed that the decision taken in the June 2 last, meeting held in the office chamber of Secretary (Civil aviation) to find out altertive alignment for Trans-Aruchal Highway for the portion along ALG boundary is also a consequence of the said gazette.