Neglect compounded

Dimapur Airport’s perennial problems have once again surfaced following the cancellation of all commercial flights on June 6 due to severe waterlogging on its runway. After incessant rainfall, the airport’s poor infrastructure was again exposed by the deluge, rendering the runway and parking area unfit for operations. This pattern of disruption has become a recurring monsoon challenge, exposing deep-rooted issues that severely hinder the airport’s functionality and growth. At the heart of the problem lies a disrupted natural drainage system. Encroachment on a critical drain at the runway’s edge blocks water flow, causing substantial water retention on the airfield. Compounding this, the airport is situated in a low-lying area, further exacerbated by runoff from the adjacent National Highway and an old drain connected to a defunct sugar mill. The combined effect leads to frequent flooding, severely affecting airport operations and resulting in flight cancellations that cost several lakh of rupees, apart from disrupting vital business and official engagements. Despite repeated pleas and correspondence from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to the state government since the mid-2000s, these problems remain unresolved. The state’s delay in addressing unauthorized land occupation around the airport has further compromised the available area, reducing usable land from an original 621.58 acres to barely 300 acres. This encroachment has crippled the potential expansion and modernization plans, with the government currently embroiled in reclaiming the land earmarked for airport development. The neglect of Dimapur Airport is glaring, especially when compared with airports across the Northeast region. Facilities in Silchar, Aizawl, Tezpur, Lilabari, Rupsi, Shillong, and Daporijo have all made significant leaps despite commencing operations years after Dimapur. It may be recalled that Dimapur, which began civilian operations in the mid-1970s, serves not only Nagaland but also Karbi Anglong and parts of upper Assam. Yet it lags far behind in amenities and connectivity. The example of Imphal Airport is particularly instructive: despite serving only Manipur, it has evolved into the Northeast’s second international airport and second busiest after Guwahati, with nine daily flights including an international route to Mandalay, Myanmar. Other neighboring airports have capitalized on development opportunities, making notable advances. Dibrugarh Airport, spanning 386 acres, now boasts a 7,500-foot runway and two aerobridges, while Jorhat Airport has also expanded significantly. In stark contrast, Dimapur’s infrastructure remains rudimentary. Passengers still walk from the aircraft to the terminal, and the adjacent railway station’s platform lacks even a canopy after three decades, exposing travelers to harsh weather conditions. The failure to modernize Dimapur Airport reflects a broader pattern of governmental apathy towards vital infrastructure. An admission by the former AAI Director in 2021 acknowledged that the Nagaland government ignored repeated requests since 2008 for land allocation, runway upgrades, and airport modernization. Such disregard has deprived the state’s economic growth fueled by connectivity, while other states with fewer resources have aggressively pursued infrastructure development and secured central assistance. For Dimapur Airport, the path forward demands urgent remedial action: reclaiming encroached land, restoring proper drainage, and initiating development phases without delay. With air travel demand rising steadily due to tourism and business needs, the airport’s revival is essential for Nagaland’s integration into the broader regional and national economy. Without decisive government initiative, the airport’s decline will continue, deepening a connectivity gap that stifles development opportunities and inconveniences on countless travelers.