The Mizoram government has dismissed rumors of plans to sell or completely transfer the state-owned Lengpui Airport to the Indian Air Force (IAF), Chief Minister Lalduhoma’s Finance Adviser, TBC Lalvenchhunga, clarified on February 17.
Addressing a party gathering, Lalvenchhunga emphasized that the government is only exploring collaboration with the IAF for modernizing the airport, located 32 km from Aizawl. “There is no intention of either selling or transferring the Lengpui airport. We are only exploring possibilities to improve and modernize the airport,” he stated. The issue of transferring the airport has been a topic of debate for several years. Past governments, including the Mizo National Front (MNF) and Congress, made attempts to hand over portions of the airport due to maintenance challenges.
In 2011, 32 acres were allocated to the IAF for jet fighter parking, and in 2019 and 2022, additional land was offered to the IAF by the MNF government. However, no formal agreements were signed. Opposition parties, particularly the MNF and Congress, along with civil society groups like the Young Mizo Association (YMA), have opposed any plans to hand over control to the IAF.
