Jamshedpur : Union Government has zeroed in on Dhalbhumgarh block of East Sighbhum 80 Kms, from the city for the greenfield Jamshedpur airport. The Union Aviation Ministry has also asked the State Government to start the process of acquiring of land so that the groundwork can be started.
The technical team of Airport Authority of India (AAI) that recently conducted survey has given its nod for setting up of the airport at Dhalbhumgarh as it is near to the Steel City.
Addressing a press meet at local circuit house, Union minister of state for civil aviation, Jayant Sinha said that both the Union and State Government have agreed to set up the new airport at Dhalbhumgarh .
He said that the Ministry has asked the State Government to take over 300 acres of land so that the initial ground work of the airport can be started. He informed that the Government has plans to invest Rs 300 crores through AAI for the new airport.
When questioned over the abandoned World War II runaway in Chakulia and Dhalbhumgarh in Ghatshila sub-division, about 70-kms from Jamshedpur, Sinha said that they have resolved to set up the airport on fresh site as the proposed site at Dhalbhumgarh is located on the National Highway that will ensure easy connectivity to the city, while Chakulia is located a bit inside.
As per the plans, the new airport will have 3 km runway and will be equipped with world class facilities. The Minister said that the Union government has been exploring feasibility of connecting more cities under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).
Sinha, who was in city to participate in a function to mark three years of Modi Government also announced re-launch of air service at Jamshedpur�s existing airport at Sonari. He informed that Air Deccan has bagged the contract to start service from Jamshedpur to Kolkata. Under UDAN(UdeDeshKaAamNagrik)scheme , Air Deccan has agreed to start air service by September this year. Under the regional connectivity scheme termed UDAN, the Government is bringing the air service back to the steel city.
As per the scheme, the Centre will subsidise the losses incurred by airlines flying out of dormant airports, to allow airlines to charge Rs 2,500 for an hour�s flight to passengers. About 80 percent of the subsidy will be collected by charging a levy of up to Rs 8,500 on each departing flight of domestic airlines and the rest 20 per cent will come from the respective state governments.
Incidentally, the Jharkhand government had signed anMoU with Union civil aviation ministry under the RCS in August 2016. As of now there is no regular air service from Jamshedpur to any other parts.