90/2023-2024 

Lunglei the 7^th June, 2023 – In an important development for Mizoram’s ongoing connectivity initiative, the State Government today conducted an aerial survey at Vuakmual, Lunglei District in southern Mizoram. The Survey was conducted to study the suitability of the location for setting up a greenfield airport. 

The helicopter Survey took off from Kawmzawl Helipad, Lunglei at 11:00 am this forenoon, and included Agriculture Minister Pu C. Lalrinsanga, Rajya Sabha MP Pu K. Vanlalvena, Lunglei HPC Vice Chairman Pu Lawmawma Tochhawng, as well as representatives from I&PR Department, & MJA Lunglei.

At the request of the Mizoram Government, an important meeting to discuss setting up of an airport for Southern Mizoram was conducted at the Ministry of Civil Aviation on 14^th April, 2023. In attendance were key officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation led by Secretary, Shri Rajiv Bansal, IAS, and top officials of Mizoram’s General Administration Department led by Chief Secretary Dr Renu Sharma, IAS, as well as officials from Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Pawan Hans. After discussing the necessity of setting up an airport for southern Mizoram, the meeting tasked the Mizoram Government to identify a suitable site for the greenfield airport project, and to submit a survey report and detailed project report for the same. Today’s aerial survey was conducted as per the directives from this meeting, and is a crucial step towards getting the necessary reports ready for further submission to the Ministry.

Today’s aerial report studied in detail the suitability of Vuakmual and adjoining areas for setting up an airport, and whether there is enough space/land to construct terminal building, fire stations etc, and whether there are any possible obstructions in the vicinity for aerial traffic, and whether the area is a free land and not privately owned. Following today’s preliminary survey, technical surveys of the site are expected to commence soon.

Setting up of an additional airport for southern Mizoram is a long cherished dream of citizens and the government alike. Mizoram’s lone airport, Lengpui airport is 197.8 kms, 272.2 kms, 328.7 kms respectively from Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Siaha, the three District capital towns of southern Mizoram. The journey to Lengpui airport is often long and arduous, particularly during the monsoon when the roads are often blocked by landslides. Vuakmual is estimated to be 25-30kms from Lunglei town, and would be easily accessible from all southern districts of Mizoram.

The Government of Mizoram has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to include this project under the Ministry’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) 5.0.