New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved Indian Air Force(IAF) plan to set up a forward fighter base at Deesa in Banaskantha district of North Gujarat.

English daily The Hindustan Times reports, the decision on this long pending demand was taken by CCS meeting headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.

The decision will boost military capabilities of India against Pakistan.

The CCS approved Rs 1,000 crore initial investment to extend the existing runway, build fighter-pens and administrative facilities.

A 4,000 acres air base will plug the critical air defence gap between the Barmer and Bhuj/Naliya air bases.

Deesa will become the ninth base under Air Force’s Gandhinagar-headquartered South Western Air Command (SWAC) which is responsible for the areas of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

As Chief Minister of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on 3rd January 2009 speaking at Border Security Force(BSF) post in Kutch said , ‘ even though all security agencies are unanimously agree about need for an airstrip at North Gujarat’s Deesa, the central government has decided to develop an airstrip at Badmer. Deesa is situated at strategically important location between Badmer to Naliya, but the central government has dropped Deesa to select Badmer. The central government should rethink its decision and approve Deesa Airstrip project. ‘

DeshGujarat