TAWANG, April 5 � An advanced airfield for military and commercial use in strategically important Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh may not be feasible due to topographic constraints and weather, a preliminary evaluation of a proposal by the government has shown.
Government had identified a place called Sogyatse in Tawang district to develop an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in the region which is only connected with the rest of the country through a treacherous road network.
A preliminary analysis of the project shows that the area proposed for the ALG may not be conducive because of the high altitude and topographic conditions, official sources said.
�...I am yet to get a complete technical report on the project. However, other than Tawang, work on other landing grounds in Arunachal � Mechuka, Ziro, Passighat, Tuting, Vijaynagar, Walong and Aalo � is on in full swing. I think the maximum number of ALGs in the country are being built in Arunachal,� Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said when asked about the report.
Tawang which borders Tibet is strategically important for India as China�s People�s Liberation Army had reached Tezpur in 1962 through this route.
Poor connectivity is a major problem as it takes nearly 16 hours to reach Guwahati after 600 kilometres of arduous route. Journey from Tawang, which is 448 kms away from State capital Itanagar, takes 10 hours and it takes the same time to reach Tezpur in Assam which is the closest railway station. � PTI
