ITANAGAR, SEP 2:
Security arrangements at Arunachal Pradesh’s key aviation gateway, Donyi Polo Airport at Hollongi, are set for a major upgrade with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) preparing to take over security responsibilities at the airport.
CISF Deputy Inspector General Kim is currently in Itanagar in connection with the ongoing process for deployment of CISF personnel at the airport. His visit is understood to be part of the preparatory exercise ahead of the formal induction of the central security force.
The move comes at a significant time for Donyi Polo Airport, which has emerged as the principal air gateway to the state capital and an increasingly important component of Arunachal Pradesh’s connectivity infrastructure.
The state’s first greenfield airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2022. Developed over more than 690 acres at a cost of over Rs 640 crore, the airport has a 2,300-metre runway capable of handling Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-class aircraft and was designed for all-weather daytime operations.
The airport has also undergone major expansion in recent years. Its Rs 165-crore permanent terminal building was formally operationalised in September 2025, replacing the temporary facility. The new terminal can handle up to 800 passengers during peak hours and up to 15 lakh passengers annually, compared with the earlier terminal’s peak-hour capacity of 150 passengers.
The expanded infrastructure has been accompanied by efforts to improve air connectivity. Flight services between Itanagar and Delhi were increased to daily operations from September 2025, while the airport also provides connectivity to destinations including Guwahati, Kolkata and Tezu.
The new terminal has introduced several passenger-oriented facilities, including the UDAN Yatri Café, a library or “Flybrary” initiative, spaces for local artisans and women entrepreneurs under the AVASAR programme, and a dedicated children’s area.
The proposed CISF deployment assumes added significance as passenger traffic, aviation infrastructure and the airport’s strategic importance continue to grow. CISF provides specialised security at airports across the country, and its induction at Hollongi would bring the airport under the force’s established aviation-security framework.
The presence of DIG Kim in Itanagar indicates that the transition has entered the preparatory stage. However, the exact date for commencement of CISF security operations and the strength of the proposed deployment have not been officially confirmed.
Donyi Polo Airport, located at Hollongi near Itanagar, derives its name from Donyi (Sun) and Polo (Moon), reflecting the indigenous cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh. Since commencing commercial operations in November 2022, the airport has become central to the state’s efforts to improve air connectivity, tourism and economic access. (Source: Mon Tawang Vigilance)
