Why Manipur Hills Need an Airport: A Case for Connectivity Amid Ethnic Tensions

Isolated by rugged terrain and worsened by ethnic tensions, Manipur’s hill tribes face dangerous travel to the state’s only airport. The clamor  for a new airport highlights the urgent need for safe connectivity for Kukis, Zos, Hmars, Nagas and other Hill tribes.

BY PC Bureau

The rugged hills of Manipur, home to a diverse tribal population including Kukis, Zos, Hmars, Thadous, and others, have long been isolated from the state’s more developed valley regions. This isolation has been worsened by ongoing ethnic tensions, particularly between the tribal communities and the majority Meitei population, rendering travel to the state’s primary airport—Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal—unsafe for many hill residents. A compelling case for the construction of an airport in the Manipur hills has been articulated in a letter by MLA LM Khatua to GMR, a leading infrastructure conglomerate, highlighting the urgent need for improved air connectivity to address both logistical challenges and the fallout of ethnic strife.

The Current Predicament: Ethnic Tensions and Travel Barriers.

Since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023, Manipur has been divided along ethnic lines, with the Meiteis predominantly residing in the Imphal Valley and the tribal population confined to the hill districts . This division has created a dangerous rift, making it nearly impossible for these tribal communities to safely travel to Imphal, located just 60-80 kilometers from some hill areas. The highways connecting the hills to the valley pass through contested territories, posing significant risks to travelers from the hill districts. As a result, residents of the hills, including students, patients, and professionals, are effectively cut off from the state’s only operational airport.

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For the tribal population needing to travel outside Manipur, the alternative is a grueling 14-hour road journey to Aizawl, the capital of neighboring Mizoram, spanning approximately 400 kilometers. This arduous trip, often undertaken under challenging road conditions and security concerns, is followed by a flight from Lengpui Airport in Aizawl. The logistical burden and time lost in this process underscore the dire need for a more accessible air travel option within the hill districts themsel

A Call for Action

In his letter to GMR, MLA LM Khatua passionately argues for the establishment of an airport in the Manipur hills, emphasizing the humanitarian and developmental crises fueled by the lack of connectivity. Representing a constituency in the hill region, Khatua points out that the ethnic tensions have not only disrupted daily life but also severed critical links to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities—all of which are concentrated in the Imphal Valley. He highlights the plight of tribal students unable to attend universities in Imphal, patients unable to access specialized medical care, and government officials stranded without safe passage to their posts.
Khatua’s letter specifically notes that the tribal population’s inability to travel to Imphal airport stems from the ethnic violence that erupted in 2023, which has claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands. He cites the case of a tribal MLA who was brutally attacked and left in critical condition after venturing into Imphal for a meeting, illustrating the tangible dangers faced by hill residents. By appealing to GMR, a company renowned for its expertise in airport development, Khatua seeks a sustainable solution that would bypass the need for tribals such as Kukis, Zos, Hmars, Thadous, and others to traverse hostile territories, proposing an airport as a lifeline for the region.
Reasons for an Airport in the Manipur Hills

1. Safety Amid Ethnic Tensions: The primary reason for an airport in the hills is the restoration of safe travel options for the tribal population. With Imphal airport effectively inaccessible due to ethnic hostilities, a local airport would provide a secure gateway, reducing the risk of violence and ensuring that travel is no longer a life-threatening endeavor for these communities.

2. Reducing Travel Time and Hardship: The 14-hour road journey to Aizawl is not just inconvenient—it’s a physical and emotional ordeal, particularly for the elderly, sick, or young among the tribal population. An airport in the hills, potentially in a district like Churachandpur, would cut travel time dramatically, offering direct flights to regional hubs like Guwahati or Kolkata and eliminating the need for perilous overland trips.

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3. Economic and Educational Empowerment: The lack of connectivity has stalled development in the hills, where infrastructure such as hospitals, colleges, and government offices is scarce. An airport would facilitate the movement of professionals, students, and goods, fostering economic growth and enabling hill residents, including tribals such as Kukis, Zos, Hmars, and Thadous, to access opportunities currently out of reach.

4. Humanitarian Relief: The ethnic conflict has displaced thousands, many of whom now reside in relief camps in the hills. An airport would streamline the delivery of aid, medical supplies, and personnel, addressing the immediate needs of these vulnerable tribal populations and supporting long-term recovery efforts.
5. National Integration: Improved air connectivity would strengthen ties between Manipur’s hill districts and the rest of India, countering the sense of alienation felt by tribal communities. It would also signal the central government’s commitment to addressing the region’s unique challenges, potentially easing tensions over time.

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A Precedent and a Promise

The need for hill connectivity is not a new concept. In 2023, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured tribal leaders of helicopter services from Churachandpur to Aizawl and Guwahati, acknowledging the travel barriers imposed by the conflict. While this was a temporary measure, it underscored the urgency of the situation. An airport, however, offers a permanent solution, aligning with the central government’s broader push to enhance infrastructure in the Northeast, as evidenced by the Airports Authority of India’s ₹720 crore upgrade plan for Imphal airpor A Step Toward Peace and Progress
MLA LM Khatua’s letter to GMR is more than a request for infrastructure—it’s a plea for dignity, safety, and equality for the tribal population of Manipur’s hills. As of April 7, 2025, the ethnic tensions show no signs of abating, and the reliance of tribals such as Kukis, Zos, Hmars, Thadous, and others on distant Aizawl remains a stark reminder of their isolation. An airport in the hills would not only address these immediate challenges but also lay the groundwork for reconciliation by bridging the physical and metaphorical divide between Manipur’s communities. For GMR and the government, this is an opportunity to transform a region marred by conflict into one connected to hope and opportunity. The time to act is now.

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Greenfield airports opened in last ten years: