Northeast Desk, 2nd October: On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Arunachal Pradesh celebrated a significant advancement in air connectivity, thanks to Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s continuous efforts. The state marked the inaugural flight of a direct route connecting Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar to the national capital, New Delhi.
This direct flight route is set to transform travel between Itanagar and Delhi, eliminating the need for passengers to take connecting flights via Kolkata and simplifying journeys for both business and leisure travelers.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu, a driving force behind improving air connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh, expressed his joy at this development. He highlighted the substantial progress in various sectors, including communication, road infrastructure, railways, digital infrastructure, and now, the aviation sector.
“In the communication sector, Arunachal has made significant strides, and today marks a remarkable milestone as Indigo Airlines launches its direct flight from Itanagar to Delhi,” Chief Minister Khandu stated.
The journey to achieve this milestone was challenging yet rewarding. Initially, there were doubts about the feasibility of direct flights to Delhi due to passenger numbers. However, with increasing demand and community support, the dream of connecting Itanagar directly to the national capital became a reality.
The inaugural flight, 6E 5927, departed from New Delhi at 9:10 AM and landed at Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar at 12:00 PM. The return flight, 6E 5928, took off from Itanagar at 12:30 PM and arrived in New Delhi at 3:25 PM.
This initiative by low-cost carrier IndiGo aligns with the airline’s commitment to improving accessibility in the Northeastern region of India. Over the years, IndiGo has made efforts to connect seven out of the eight states in the Northeast, and this new route further strengthens regional accessibility.
The Civil Aviation cum Tourism Minister, recognizing the significance of this direct connectivity, emphasized its potential to boost domestic connectivity and stimulate economic development. The improved accessibility is expected to drive growth in the region, creating employment opportunities, boosting trade, tourism, and overall economic development.
The enhanced accessibility to Itanagar is also expected to boost tourism in the region. Tourist attractions like Ita Fort, Jawaharlal Nehru Museum, Namdapha National Park, and Tawang are set to benefit from increased tourist visits.
Tamme Phassang, Mayor of Itanagar Municipal Corporation, expressed gratitude to Indigo Airlines for this significant development. He encouraged citizens to take advantage of this newfound convenience for tourism, medical emergencies, and business ventures. Mayor Phassang also took the opportunity to emphasize Arunachal Pradesh’s distinct historical and cultural ties, dispelling any unfounded claims.