The Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) for defence purposes in remote parts of Arunachal Pradesh would be made functional by the end of 2014, the Eastern Air Command has informed Governor Gen (Retd) J.J. Singh.

A Raj Bhawan statement here today said Air Vice Marshal, K.S. Gill, called on Mr Singh here yesterday and briefed him on the progress of works in ALGs, which are advanced small airstrips.

Each of these six facilities at Mechuka, Tuting, Aalo, Ziro, Walong and Pasighat would have resurfaced and re-laid runway, Air Traffic Control complex, crash bay, messes, boundary walls, guard room and related infrastructure.

The facility at Walong in Anjaw district would be made as a heliport, which is a small airport suitable only for choppers and containing one or more helipads.

A total of 240 acres would be acquired for extension works of the runway at Aalo, Pasighat, Tuting, Ziro and Mechuka, the statement said.

The Air Vice Marshal further informed the Governor that as an effort to have personnel from the Northeast, the IAF would set up an Air Force Selection Board at Guwahati and a fast track selection board at Itanagar.

Assuring his full support in removing any bottleneck for early completion of the ALGs, the Governor said these subsidiary airports would be the vehicle for development and help in enhancing the socio-economic condition in rural areas of the state besides boosting tourism.

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