Mizoram refuses to hand over airport to AAI

Aizawl, Apr 6 (UNI) Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who also holds the portfolio of GAD (Aviation Wing) has made it clear that Lengpui Airport, the state's lone airport would not yet be handed over to the Airport Authority of India.

The reason, the chief minister, said is the state government has plans to upgrade the airport.

''Of the 125 civil airports in India, Lengpui Airport is the only airport owned and maintain by the state government. Since the Mizoram government lack technical staff, the same are being provided by the AAI since the opening of the airport in December 1998,'' Zoramthanga said.

In this situation, the AAI has been insisting on handing over the airport to it. ''It has even prepared a draft MoU for handing over of the airport. But the draft MoU could not be accepted by the state government because the AAI claims all the revenues while all the expenditures would be borne by the state government,'' the chief minister said.

Zoramthanga added that Lengpui Airport needs a lot of upgradation to have the facilities which airports in the neighbouring states have. ''Since the AAI usually does not invest money to an airport which earns no profit. If we want to improve the airport, it is wise not hand it over to AAI,'' he said.

UNI