Arunachal's Donyi Polo Airport Wins Best UDAN Award and GRIHA 4-Star Rating

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh's Donyi Polo Airport at Hollongi has received two significant recognitions in quick succession — the "Best Airport under RCS–UDAN" award and a provisional GRIHA 4-star rating for sustainable infrastructure.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu welcomed both honours on Wednesday, saying they reflect the state's growing commitment to regional air connectivity and green development.

Also Read: Historic Subansiri River journey signals new era of hydropower, tourism: Khandu

The RCS–UDAN award recognises airports that have made the most meaningful contribution to regional air connectivity under the central government's UDAN scheme — an initiative aimed at making air travel accessible to smaller cities and remote regions across India.

For Arunachal Pradesh, a frontier state with challenging terrain and limited surface connectivity, improved air infrastructure carries particular significance.

"This achievement reflects the growing strength of regional connectivity in our state," Khandu said in a post on X, congratulating the Airports Authority of India and all stakeholders involved in the airport's development and operation.

Alongside the UDAN recognition, the airport has also been accorded a provisional GRIHA 4-star rating — an acknowledgement of its adherence to sustainable and environmentally responsible construction and operations standards.

GRIHA, or Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment, is India's nationally recognised green building rating system. A 4-star provisional rating places Donyi Polo Airport among a relatively small group of airport facilities in the country recognised for their environmental commitments.

"Adding to this milestone, the airport has also been accorded the prestigious GRIHA 4-Star Rating (Provisional) for its commitment to sustainable and green infrastructure," Khandu noted.