Hailakandi, April 7: Silchar has been included in the regional air connectivity zone along with Imphal, Dimapur, Aizawl and Agartala after the defence ministry extended time of operation till 8pm at Kumbhirgram airport.

Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapati Raju said this in reply to a question raised by Tezpur MP R.P. Sarma yesterday.

The Centre will allow five private airlines to operate in the 128 air routes in the northeastern region under the Udaan scheme of cheap airfare.

Silchar MP Sushmita Dev has been fighting for the start of night landing in Silchar Airport. One of the general secretaries of the state BJP, Rajdeep Roy, met Union minister Kiren Rijiju in Guwahati last week in this regard.

Cachar deputy commissioner S. Viswanathan said all impediments have been removed regarding starting night-landing facilities in Silchar Airport. He said a team of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (will come to Silchar for a survey.

Sources said the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has given the green signal to Jet Airways to run night flights in Silchar.

Silchar airport still runs under the defence ministry and its permission in all aspects is important. "This is one of the major milestones crossed," Viswanathan said.

He said chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and PWD minister Parimal Suklabaidya have also been very active in regard to obtaining permission from the defence ministry for night landing.

He said the deployment of CISF personnel in Silchar depends on the survey by the Bureau.

Silchar airport chief security officer P.K. Das earlier said they have sent the proposal to appoint 35 personnel at the airport and 15 CISF staff which has been sanctioned. AAI has clarified that the salaries and perks of CISF personnel at the airport will be paid by them.

Viswanathan said the government is also discussing with IndiGo authorities for starting a flight to Silchar.