Itanagar, Apr 1 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday hailed the twin recognitions received by Donyi Polo Airport at Hollongi, near here, saying the awards reflect the growing strength of regional air connectivity in the state.
The chief minister said the airport has been honoured with the ‘Best Airport under RCS-UDAN’ Award and has also secured a provisional GRIHA four-star rating, marking a significant milestone for aviation infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh.
In a post on X, the chief minister congratulated the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and all stakeholders involved in developing and operating the airport.
“Airport officials of the Donyi Polo Airport today proudly showcased the ‘Best Airport under RCS-UDAN’ Award, an achievement that reflects the growing strength of regional connectivity in our state,” Khandu said.
Describing the recognition as a proud moment for the state, he said the honour highlights the impact of improved aviation infrastructure in connecting the frontier state with the rest of the country.
“Adding to this milestone, the airport has also been accorded the prestigious GRIHA four-star rating (provisional) for its commitment to sustainable and green infrastructure,” the chief minister said.
Khandu appreciated the agencies and officials involved in the project and credited their efforts for achieving the twin milestones.
“Heartiest congratulations to AAI and all stakeholders for this dual recognition, and sincere thanks to all officials and stakeholders who made it possible,” he said.
The Best Airport under RCS-UDAN Award is conferred by the AAI to recognise airports that have demonstrated excellence in promoting regional air connectivity under the Centre’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme.
The scheme aims to make air travel affordable and improve connectivity to remote and underserved regions, including the Northeast.
The airport has also received a provisional four-star rating under the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) system, India’s national green building certification framework, developed by The Energy and Resources Institute with support from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
GRIHA evaluates buildings based on energy efficiency, environmental impact and sustainable resource use throughout their life cycle.
A four-star GRIHA rating indicates advanced environmental performance and places a project among the higher-performing sustainable developments in the country, reflecting strong energy efficiency and resource management standards, officials said.
Highlighting the broader significance of the recognition, Khandu said the achievements underline Arunachal Pradesh’s progress in modern infrastructure development while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability.
The chief minister added that the dual honours will further strengthen the state’s aviation sector and reinforce its efforts to promote connectivity, development and environmentally responsible infrastructure.
The airport, situated at a distance of 15 km from the state capital, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19, 2022. It is the first greenfield airport in Arunachal Pradesh and was developed at a cost of around Rs 645 crore to strengthen air connectivity in the frontier state.
Named after the indigenous faith of the state, Donyi (Sun) and Polo (Moon), the airport was envisioned to significantly improve accessibility to the capital region and boost tourism, trade and overall economic development in Arunachal Pradesh. PTI UPL UPL ACD
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