Aizawl, Oct 3
Flight operations in Mizoram’s lone airport, Lengpui, were halted on Friday after at least two potholes were spotted on the runway, forcing diversion and cancellation of four flights, officials said.
An official said that after at least two potholes were noticed on the runway, flight operations at Mizoram’s Lengpui airport were halted. Two flights were diverted to Agartala, while one each from Kolkata and Guwahati had to return as they could not land.
“As a precautionary measure, flights from Kolkata, Delhi and other airports scheduled to land at Lengpui were cancelled due to safety concerns,†the official said, adding that the airport authorities have undertaken emergency repair work and normal flight operations are expected to resume once the runway is restored.
He said the runway problem at Mizoram’s lone airport, Lengpui, was not new, as potholes and similar damages had occurred earlier on the tabletop runway. Lengpui Airport, located 30 km north of capital city Aizawl, operates flights connecting Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Imphal and Shillong.
Situated at an altitude of 1,228 feet above sea level, Lengpui Airport is one of the few airports in India built by a state government in 1998. Meanwhile, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) took over the security of Lengpui Airport, in April this year.
The deployment also marks a significant milestone as the first-ever CISF unit established in the Northeastern state of Mizoram.
“The Force brings with it 25 years of expertise in aviation security, significantly enhancing the safety framework of this strategically important airport,†an official had said.
The official added that the decision to station CISF personnel at Lengpui Airport aligns with the government of India's broader initiative to strengthen security across civil aviation facilities nationwide.
According to the official, in addition to their core security responsibilities, CISF personnel would work closely with local authorities and other stakeholders to develop and implement advanced security protocols that are effective, convenient and people-friendly.
The official said that these enhanced measures aim to provide passengers with a secure and seamless travel experience, while proactively addressing emerging threats such as terrorism, smuggling and other unlawful activities.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Safety should always be the top priority. Better to cancel flights than risk accidents. But this recurring problem shows we need better infrastructure planning in the Northeast. The tabletop runway design might need review.
Just last month I traveled through Lengpui Airport. The facilities were decent but runway maintenance seems to be a persistent issue. Good that CISF has taken over security, but what about runway maintenance? 🤔
As someone who frequently travels to Northeast for work, this is disappointing. Four flights cancelled means many people stranded. Hope the authorities complete repairs soon and implement long-term solutions.
The article mentions this isn't new. If potholes are recurring, maybe the runway construction quality needs to be investigated. Tabletop runways require special maintenance protocols. Hope AAI takes this seriously.
While I appreciate the safety-first approach, I wonder if there's adequate emergency planning for such situations. What about passengers who got stranded? Are there proper arrangements for them?
Being from the Northeast, I know how crucial Lengpui Airport is for Mizoram's connectivity. This incident highlights the need for better infrastructure investment in our region. Hope this gets resolved quickly! ðŸ™
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