Castles in the air

 Improved road, rail and air connectivity are the prime movers for spurring economic growth of the north east and in this regard, the prospects for Nagaland draws needed interest and the moot point is whether the state planners have their sights on the objective? In the recent assembly debate, the polarity in perception about “development” was anything but like mistaking the woods for the tree. While the treasury bench was all for the construction of the proposed Greenfield airport at Chiethu, the opposition seemed equally steadfast with the proposal for a Greenfield airport at Rüzaphema. The two sides of the aisle were engaged in heated duel over which of the two was better or more viable then the other. The debate seemed as if the proponents were bent on winning the argument instead of understanding the practical realities. Chiethu is located under Chiechama village Kohima district and the proposed greenfield airport was initiated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Rio held the stand that Chiethu fulfils the policy of every state capital being entitled to have an airport. He reasoned that the issue was about making use of the opportunity when provided. Some years back it was reported in the media that due to the hilly and undulating terrain which, according to the Airport Authority of India (AAI), may pose a limitation to its operations and hamper further expansion of the airport and also sensing the huge cost that would be incurred for its construction, the AAI directed the Government of Nagaland to situate another suitable site which is plainer. The Centre’s DoNER ministry had held the view that the proposed Chiethu airport was not feasible in view of the cost and other factors. When Rio was succeeded by T.R. Zeliang as chief minister, the latter batted for Rüzaphema in Peren district and some 35 Kms away from Dimapur, as the alternative airport to Dimapur. Be that as it may, the duel in the assembly over which of the two-Chiethu or Rüzaphema – has distinct advantage over each other is less important. Even with regard to the claim that either has the potential of becoming an international airport in the long run; this point is far stretched and somewhat of a distant dream. It is unfortunate that while rooting for either of the above, the decision makers seem to have left present Dimapur airport in the lurch. Instead of trying to first improve the present airport to facilitate operations for bigger aircraft and seek more flights, the leaders have focussed their time and energy on new projects. The message is that there is need to show marked improvement in passenger facilities to meet the present needs of passengers from Nagaland and parts of nearby upper Assam. One of the significant contribution towards was the recently re-introduced flight between Kolkata-Guwahati-Dimapur-Imphal and back. While other north eastern states are trying to attract a large number of tourists to their States and, which is growing at the rate of 12% each year , Nagaland has not achieved its goal of wooing investors from mainland India because of the poor state of affairs. Improved infrastructure and air, road and rail connectivity have played a major role in driving tourism growth and this is the crux of the matter. Economic vision comes from understanding the dynamics of maximising what are available to their fullest potential before venturing further.