Defence Ministry defines terms of MoU on ALGs on Arunachal

The Defence Ministry has stipulated terms and conditions of a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with the Arunachal Pradesh government on developing Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in remote areas adjoining China.

Itanagar ,May 20:The Defence Ministry has stipulated terms and conditions of a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with the Arunachal Pradesh government on developing Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in remote areas adjoining China.

"The Ministry of Defence has sent the MoU to the State Government with details of what could be done to develop the ALGs in the state," Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal S K Bhan said.

The State government is eager to develop ALGs at Tuting, Mechuka, Walong and Vijaynagar.It will facilitate supplies to the tribal people living in tiny hamlets and troops near Indo-China border in the Himalayan state.

The State government wants to involve the Defence Ministry in the project as the cost of upgrading and maintaining the ALGs is very high.

According to sources, State government wants to include some clauses in the agreement to gain easy access to these ALGs for civilian purposes like sending supplies and tourism.

Meanwhile , the Defence Ministry is keen to develop some strategically-located helipads in the state ,apart from upgrading the strips of runways and other infrastructure in the ALGs.The transport aircraft and helicopters of the Eastern Air Command act as a lifeline to tribal settlements in these remote and inaccessible areas of state which fully depend on the aerial supply by the Air Force. These aircrafts also airlift sick people from tribal areas.

ANI