Article Posted on : - Aug 17, 2016

The new ALG will allow fighter aircraft like Su-30MKI to land and take off. The Su-30 fighters of Indian Air Force. An IAF photo

NEW DELHI (PTI): In a major fillip to India's military capabilities along the border with China, the Pasighat advanced landing ground (ALG) in Arunachal Pradesh, which will allow fighter aircraft like Su-30MKI to land and take off, will be inaugurated this week.

Pasighat ALG, to be inaugurated on August 19, is a strategic asset and will be one of the operating bases under the Eastern Air Command capable of operating all types of aircraft and helicopters.

Activation of this ALG will not only improve our response time for various operational situations but also the efficacy of the air operations in the eastern frontier, IAF said on Tuesday.

It said that the ALG will enhance air support capability for the army, paramilitary forces and the civil administration.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju along with Air Marshal C Hari Kumar, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command, will inaugurate the ALG.

It will facilitate the connectivity by air for the people of Arunachal Pradesh with the rest of the country.

Coming on the civil aviation map of the country will bring in large number of tourists to this pristine and picturesque town located on the banks of Siang river, leading to greater happiness and prosperity to the local population.

The ALG at Pasighat was earlier partly paved and partly grassy, and smaller in size.

To bolster up the operational capability in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, IAF took over the ALG in February 2010 and started the aviation infrastructure development.

At present, the development work is coming to an end and a new airfield is ready for operational use.