Dimapur Airport, “the only airport in the State of Nagaland,” continues to face delays in its expansion as 18.8 acres of land “under the occupation of the Assam Rifles” remains un-transferred. This is despite “major progress led by the State Government and coordination with CRPF and AAI,” a DIPR report stated.
The airport, which “plays a critical role in connecting the region with the rest of the country,” serves “not only the people of Nagaland but also adjoining areas of Assam and Manipur within a 100 km radius.” Despite its “strategic importance and rising passenger traffic,” expansion efforts have been “severely constrained due to longstanding land issues,” the report maintained.
To address this, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Dr. Neiphiu Rio, has “taken personal initiative to expedite the development of the airport.” In line with this, the Transport Department, “in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and relevant stakeholders,” has been “actively pursuing the release of 18.8 acres of land currently occupied by Assam Rifles,” which is “essential for Phase I of the Dimapur Airport expansion.”
Key achievements by State
Under the leadership of the Chief Minister and “with close coordination by Chief Secretary Dr J Alam, IAS,” the following milestones have already been achieved:
· “The State Government successfully cleared 17.9 acres of land from illegal encroachment after a prolonged legal battle and handed it over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).”
· “The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has vacated 8.4 acres of land under their occupation, supporting Phase I expansion efforts.”
· “The Assam Rifles have already been allotted alternate land at Shokhuvi village in Chümoukedima district, where a new Training Centre and School has been established and is now fully operational.”
However, “18.8 acres out of 147 acres under the occupation of Assam Rifles remains un-transferred, delaying critical airport infrastructure work.”
Centre-state meet held in Delhi
A “high-level meeting was convened on July 1, 2025, in New Delhi,” chaired by Abhijit Sinah, IAS, Additional Secretary (Police II), MHA. The meeting, described as “a direct outcome of the sustained efforts led by the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary of the State to resolve the issue,” was attended by Myingthungo Ababe Ezung, OSD, Transport Department, Government of Nagaland; Moa Pongen, Director, Dimapur Airport; the Deputy General Manager (Civil Engineering), AAI; and a representative from Assam Rifles.
The “primary agenda of the meeting was the release of 18.8 acres of land by Assam Rifles required for Phase I expansion.”
Letters to Centre flag safety and urgency
Chief Minister Rio had earlier written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, warning that “the inability to expand Dimapur Airport due to land constraints is causing serious operational and safety concerns.”
In the letter, the CM stated that “AAI’s Master Plan for phased development has been hindered even at Phase I due to pending land transfer.” He emphasized that “the State Government and CRPF have done their part by vacating and handing over the required land,” and pointed out that “Assam Rifles already has a fully functional facility at Shokhuvi, negating the need to retain the current land.”
Yet, “multiple representations have been made, yet approval for land handover is still pending.”
The CM urged the MHA to issue “urgent instructions… to facilitate the transfer and ensure timely commencement of developmental works.”
Chief Secretary Dr J Alam also wrote to the Union Home Secretary, reiterating the State’s position. He noted that “several meetings, the latest on June 18, 2025, have been held with Assam Rifles to resolve the issue,” but “the land is yet to be vacated despite repeated assurances and reminders.”
He further stated that “Assam Rifles has expressed willingness to vacate the land subject to MHA’s directive and structural compensation,” but clarified that “since this is a book transfer between two Central Government entities (Assam Rifles and AAI), structural compensation is not applicable,” and “the transfer can be made on an ‘as-is-where-is’ basis.”
He requested the Ministry “to grant necessary permissions to enable immediate handover of land to AAI.”
Despite “major progress led by the State Government and coordination with CRPF and AAI,” the report stated that “the lack of approval for the transfer of 18.8 acres of Assam Rifles land remains the sole impediment to starting work on Phase I of Dimapur Airport expansion.”
The Department, “under the direction of the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary, continues to actively pursue this matter at the highest levels of Government.” The July 1 meeting is seen as a “critical point of inter-agency dialogue,” with the State now calling on the Ministry of Home Affairs to “issue a directive for immediate transfer of the said land from Assam Rifles to AAI and recognize the urgency and national significance of expanding the only airport in Nagaland.”
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