A group of golf enthusiasts in Arunachal Pradesh is advancing plans for the state’s first civilian 18-hole golf course, aiming to establish the northeastern Indian state as a new destination for golfers from Japan, South Korea and other Asian markets.
The initiative is led by the recently formed Arunachal Golf Association and centres on land near the new Holongi airport, which offers daily flights to Delhi and sits just downhill from the capital, Itanagar. Proponents believe the combination of improved air connectivity and the state’s Himalayan landscape could support a high-quality golf and resort offering.
Major General (retd) Jarken Gamlin, an avid golfer and vice president of the association, estimates the full project—including hostels, swimming pool, clubhouse and other amenities—could reach ₹400 crore. “Our plan is to create an 18-hole course of international standards, with foreign players flying down to play here,” he said.
At present, Arunachal Pradesh has only one significant golf facility: a nine-hole course at high-altitude Tenga Valley in West Kameng district, operated by and restricted to the military. Gamlin, the first officer from Arunachal Pradesh to reach the rank of major general in the Indian Army, draws parallels with Southeast Asian nations that have produced leading international players. “If Southeast Asian nations can produce some of the world’s top golfers, why can’t we?” he asked, noting the irony of an association that currently has no course of its own.
Association president and former state minister James Lowangcha Wanglat confirmed that approximately 100 acres have been identified near Holongi airport, with the landowner prepared to sell on an instalment basis. An 18-hole course is expected to require 150–200 acres.
Some hillside cutting may be necessary once an architect finalises the layout. The association is registered with the state government, but formal project approval and any initial government resource allocation remain pending.
Wanglat said the design target is to match the standards of established courses in Pattaya and Chiang Mai, Thailand. Discussions with a hotel entrepreneur for a nearby hillside resort are at an advanced stage. The longer-term ambition is to position Arunachal as a convenient alternative for Asian golfers who currently charter flights to Thailand. “Once we have a course of international standards, Japanese and Korean golfers could simply fly to Arunachal, stay in a hillside resort and play golf,” Wanglat said.
For golf industry observers, the project represents an early-stage development opportunity in a region with improving air access and limited existing golf infrastructure. Key next steps include securing state approval, finalising land acquisition, and progressing design and financing for both the course and supporting hospitality facilities.
For the original story please visit Economic Times.
