The expansion of Dimapur Airport, Nagaland’s only civil aviation hub, has been stalled due to the continued occupation of its land by the Assam Rifles Training Centre (ARTC), the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) has said. The CPO represents the traditional landholders of the Chakhroma region in Chümoukedima district.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CPO requested the immediate vacation of 18.8 acres designated for Phase-I development and a larger 148-acre tract currently under ARTC control. The organisation described the occupation as illegal and lacking legal standing.
According to the CPO, official records show the airfield was formally transferred from the Indian Air Force to the National Airports Authority, now the Airports Authority of India, in 1987. The transfer was signed by Squadron Leader B.S. Bamra on behalf of the IAF. Despite this, the ARTC remains on the site and has demanded 16 crore rupees in compensation for abandoned structures, a move the CPO described as a key obstacle to the airport’s development.
The continued occupation has prevented the installation of safety infrastructure, including the Runway End Safety Area, and has blocked the extension of the runway. The CPO also pointed out that the Assam Rifles has already been provided an operational training facility at Shokhuvi village in Chümoukedima district, raising questions about the justification for retaining Dimapur Airport land.
The delay also conflicts with the government’s Act East policy, which emphasizes regional connectivity. Dimapur Airport is crucial for trade, passenger movement, and regional integration in Nagaland.
The CPO has urged the Prime Minister to direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue a time-bound order for the immediate vacating of the land. The organisation warned that further delay could deprive Nagaland of economic and trade opportunities.