Project to uplift 15 villages near airport

Airports Authority of India (AAI), in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has embarked on a resilience-building mission for communities living in the vicinity of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) airport.

The project aims to address challenges to development, primarily by improving health services, education and sanitation in order to reduce the drivers of vulnerability in the intervention areas of the communities residing in the neighbourhood of the airport, which include a significant tribal population.

Regional executive director of AAI’s northeast region, DK Kamra, said through corporate social responsibility schemes here the AAI is trying to maximize the welfare of local communities who were affected by the airport project.

“The sectors like health, education, sanitation and skill development are primarily focused areas. And with UNDP, we are hopeful that it will cater to the needs of the unprivileged and underprivileged sections of society,” he said.

Desktop computers have been distributed to schools. Distribution of solar LED lanterns and water purifiers to 10,000 people will follow under the project. Other facilities to be provided under the project include mobile medical units and toilets. Training and medical facilities will be given for three years under the mission.

The project will cover 15 villages under three village panchayats and will work towards creating an enabling environment for sustainable economic and social development, with a special focus on women and children and building resilience of communities using a participatory approach. West Guwahati MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita said this is a big initiative by AAI and that this mission will benefit local people and the community as a whole in this area