Govt mulls Delhi-Aizawl direct flight

The Centre is mulling a direct flight connecting Delhi with Aizawl in a bid to increase air and people-to-people connectivity with the northeastern states.
"The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region will take up with Civil Aviation ministry the proposal to start a direct air flight from Delhi to Aizawl," Union Minister Jitendra Singh said.
Singh, who is on a two-day visit to Mizoram beginning today, said BJP President Amit Shah will be arriving here tomorrow on his first-ever visit.
The DoNER Minister said there have been discussions on handing over Lengpui airport in Mizoram to the Airport Authority of India (AAI).

"Certain clarifications regarding security of airport are sought to be cleared between the state government and AAI," he said.
During the inter-ministerial meeting held by DoNER Ministry with the representatives of Civil Aviation Ministry on Monday, it was decided that the possibility of providing security by state police may be explored and the cost of deployment will be borne by the AAI, he said.

Singh also assured that he will take up the issue pertaining to Bru refugees from Mizoram settled in Tripura with authorities concerned. The minority Reang (Bru) tribes had escaped ethnic tension in Mizoram and migrated to Tripura in 1997.

He expressed satisfaction over increase of 91.58 per cent in the literacy rate in Mizoram, which is second highest in the country after Kerala.
"Not only this, there is a large majority of Mizoram people living in Delhi who are members of the teaching faculty in reputed colleges and universities," he said, praising the contribution of the state's people in this regard.
He said Railways has completed gauge conversion work for 210 km Lumding-Silchar rail track which would enable the movement of foodgrains and other items on a broad-gauge to Mizoram, Lower Assam, Tripura and Manipur. The freight trains on this track have already started from March 21, Singh said.