Kohima, Dec. 11 : The proposed airport at Chiethu is all set to create a difference to the lives of many people in Kohima, which is today the only State capital in the country without an airport.

The proposed airport will provide fast connectivity to the people here.

As per the project report, a runway of about 2.2 kilometers in length is being proposed at a cost of about Rs. 700 crores which includes other aspects of the complete project.

Located 15 kms away from Nagaland State Secretariat, Chiethu will soon become an important link for the people of Nagaland with the upcoming airport.

At present, Kohima is linked to the rest of the country only through road. And, the only airport and railway link is in Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland.

The proposed airport will be a boon to the people and the business community here.

Neingulie Nakhro, one businessman, said: “It has come as a ray of hope for all the business people in Kohima. As you know that Dimapur is the only area which is plain in Nagaland. Beyond that starting right from Kohima, the entire area is hilly in nature. Setting up an airport in Kohima will come as a boon to the business fraternity.”

Ababe Ezung, another businessman, said: “As a business person, we always wanted transport because that''s the main thing. Better transport is better business for us and if an airport is just behind our place, it is going to really help business people like us because we send cargos. The fastest way is through airplanes and so going to Dimapur and coming, the cost factor is there. So, if Chiethu airport is here, it will really benefit the people of Nagaland."

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has done an aerial survey of Chiethu and the project cost is estimated at Rs. 700 crores for a runway of about 2.2 KM.

The airport in the State capital Kohima will help improve the business environment and it will act as a catalyst in the process of development of the state. (ANI)