BJP blames State government over delay in airport

From our correspondent

Itagar, Dec 1: The controversy over the Greenfield airport refused to die down with the state unit BJP blaming the state government for the delay in constructing the airport. The controversy has been raging after Governor JP Rajkhowa recently recommended Prime Minister rendra Modi to scrap the project and suggested upgradation of Lilabari airport in neighboring Assam. Questioning the government for the delay, Opposition Leader Tamiyo Taga, who is accused of suggesting the governor to scrap the greenfield airport at Hollongi, while briefing mediapersons here said, “Who is stopping the state government from constructing the airport?’’ Taga while clarifying his stand on the issue said, “My statement on the greenfield airport has been twisted” adding that the ruling party was playing ‘cheap politics’.

“I said upgradation of Lilabari airport would be good for the people of the state, as it would save time and money,” he said adding that, “But my support for upgradation of Lilabari airport should not be construed that I support scrapping of the Greenfield airport at Hollongi altogether.” He said all parties including BJP are on the same side on the Greenfield airport. Taga also blamed the high land compensation amount and the unending list of beneficiaries including Chakma refugees for the delay in construction of the airport. He said there are more than 500 individuals who have been enlisted as beneficiaries for land compensation including 228 Chakma refugees.

“Why Chakma refugees should get land compensation? They are not Indians but refugees,” Taga said.

Accusing the state government of selling the state, Taga said, the process to compensate for the land acquisition to beneficiaries has not been transparent. Observing that the Greenfield airport is a state problem, he said, the state government must come up with solution.