IAF to set up airbase in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, June 8 (IANS) The Chhattisgarh government has agreed in principle to provide at least 2,000 acres of land to the Indian Air Force (IAF) for setting up an airbase in the state, an official said Sunday.
The state government's consent to offer land for an airbase came after a team of senior IAF officials made a detailed presentation before Chief Minister Raman Singh Friday night at his official residence here.
Anil Tuteja, director civil aviation, told IANS Sunday that he has been asked by the chief minister to accompany the IAF team that will visit various locations in the state to select the airbase site.
As per the IAF presentation, land measuring between 2,000-2,500 acres is required for the new airbase.
Tuteja said that Singh told the air force officials that his government would speedily grant clearance to hand over the land selected for the airbase.
The IAF is keen to have an airbase in Chhattisgarh for various reasons, including less air traffic congestion over the state's sky