Cloud delays landing, Ibobi eyes passport office
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 24 2013: The Golden Myanmar aircraft which flew back to Imphal today could not land at the scheduled time on account of cloudy weather condition in the vicinity of Tulihal Airport.

The aircraft hovered around the airport for around one hour before it flew back to Mandalay for re-fuelling.

The plane landed at Imphal airport in the afternoon, several hours later than the scheduled time.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister O Ibobi has made it clear that Manipur is keen to establish air connectivity with neighbouring Myanmar.

The State Government, as stated by the Chief Minister, has decided to ask the Government of India to relax Protected Area Permit (PAP) system for Myanmar nationals.

Notably, the Golden Myanmar's maiden flight to Imphal on November 21 brought Chief Ministers' of Myanmar's Mandalay and Sagaing regions together with a number of delegates before it flew black with 128 passengers from Manipur the same day.

Chief Minister O Ibobi seeing off the Myanmar delegates

The second flight of Golden Myanmar Airline to Imphal took off from Mandalay 8.15 am today but it could not land at Tulihal Airport on time due to low visibility.

The flight was scheduled to proceed to Bodh Gaya via Imphal.

By the time, the plane was hovering around the airport, check-in process of all passengers was completed and the State Government officials were ready to see off the Myanmar delegates.

Talking with The Sangai Express at Tulihal Airport's VIP lounge, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that his Sagaing and Mandalay counterparts are keen to open road as well as air connectivity between Manipur and Myanmar.

The State Government would urge New Delhi to relax PAP system for at least Myanmar nationals even if the same system is applied to citizens of China and Afghanistan, Ibobi stated.

Establishment of air connectivity between Imphal and Mandalay would bring about cheaper, faster and easier accessibility to China's Kunming as well as many South East Asian countries.

However, some facilities need to be developed in the State before introduction of regular Imphal-Mandalay flight, said the Chief Minister.

The State Government would now start working intensively to the effect that visa on arrival facilities are opened at Tulihal Airport an Moreh, and a regional passport office and a visa office are opened at Imphal.

The Chief Minister informed that he discussed about expanding cross border with his Sagaing and Mandalay counterparts.

According to Sagaing Chief Minister U Thar Aye, the 98 Kms long Tamu-Kalewa road is fit for vehicular traffic round the year.

He went on to suggest that there would be little problem in introducing Imphal-Kalewa bus service.

Stating that they would take up the matter of introducing Imphal-Mandalay bus service with the Government of Myanmar, the two Chief Ministers informed that they would initiate necessary measures to enhance trade and commercial activities between Myanmar and India through Manipur.

They said they felt privileged on getting an opportunity to take part in the Sangai festival.

Takhelchangbam Narahari, a Manipuri diaspora of Mandalay who was part of the Myanmar delegation said that he was gratified on being able to visit the holy shrine of Govindajee temple.