Guwahati, June 23:
The public hearing for the proposed Greenfield Airport at Doloo Tea Estate in Assam’s Cachar district has officially concluded, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Monday. Describing the development as a “major step forward,” Sarma emphasized its significance in advancing the state’s goal of transforming the Barak Valley into a regional hub for connectivity and development.
“A major step forward. The public hearing for the Greenfield Doloo Airport project in Cachar district concluded peacefully today—a significant milestone in our journey to transform Barak Valley into a hub of connectivity and development,” Sarma posted on social media, expressing gratitude to stakeholders for their cooperation.
The proposed airport is intended to overcome the limitations of the existing Kumbhirgram Airport in Silchar, which operates under defense control and lacks the capacity to meet rising civilian aviation demands.
However, the project has not been without controversy. While the state government previously provided financial assistance to 1,296 families in the Doloo Tea Estate as a goodwill gesture, resistance from tea estate workers continues. Under the banner of the Asom Mojuri Shramik Union (AMSU), workers have demanded either the return of the acquired land or the allocation of equivalent land elsewhere to sustain tea cultivation.
Tensions first flared in 2022 when the Assam government initiated the acquisition of 2,500 bighas (approximately 826.45 acres) of land at the request of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Protests erupted, with workers expressing fears of livelihood loss and displacement.
To address these concerns, the government has assured that no evictions or job losses will result from the project. Despite these assurances, skepticism remains, especially after a statement by then Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in Parliament, where he claimed that no formal proposal for the airport had yet been submitted by the Assam government.
As the state moves ahead with its ambitious infrastructure plans, the Greenfield Airport project remains a focal point of debate, balancing regional development with the rights and concerns of local communities.
For more information about this Greenfield Airport Project visit – https://indiainvestmentgrid.gov.in/opportunities/nip-project/612842
