Guwahati, Dec. 28: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu today inaugurated the advanced landing ground (ALG) at Tuting in Upper Siang district, bordering China.

This is the sixth ALG to be operationalised in the state since 2015.

The development assumes signficance given the connectivity issues in Arunachal, which is the biggest state in the Northeast area-wise, and its proximity to China.

Besides Tuting, which is under the control of Jorhat Air Force Station in Assam, the other ALGs to be operationalised since last year are Mechuka, Aalo, Pasighat, Ziro and Vijaynagar. The seventh ALG in Tawang, the home district of the chief minister, remains incomplete.

Khandu said the Tuting ground would go a long way in boosting regional connectivity and would provide impetus to tourism industry, which would in turn boost the local economy.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and late chief minister Dorjee Khandu had in 2009 come to an agreement to upgrade all landing grounds in the state, Khandu said while addressing a gathering of defence personnel, administrative officials, gaon burahs, school children and local people at the Air Traffic Control building in Tuting.

"A decision was also taken then on dual use of the ALGs - for defence and civilian purposes. Pasighat ALG will be the first to have civilian terminal with the commencing of Air India flights to the town soon. This was the outcome of my recent talks with the civil aviation ministry," Khandu said. He thanked the Centre, the air force and Nagarjuna Construction Company for completing the work in Tuting within one-and-half years.

Air Marshal Hari Kumar appreciated the cooperation of the local people and the state government in the early completion of the ALG.

A defence release issued this evening said the ALG has been upgraded with a full-fledged runway and all the associated facilities.

"The strategic location of Tuting ALG will make it a launching pad for the IAF operations as well as be a facilitator to the administration in the management of border area. The ALG will be used to bring in vital supplies from cities in Assam via fixed wing aircraft and helicopters besides meeting challenges during natural calamities," the release said.

Commencement of civil flights operations from Tuting ALG has been proposed to director-general of civil aviation and Airport Authority of India, it said.