Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Feb 6: In the Tuesday Lok Sabha session, Member of Parliament Bidyut Baran Mahato passionately raised concerns about the prolonged delay in the construction of Dhalbhumgarh Airport in his parliamentary constituency of Jamshedpur. He highlighted the significance of the region, renowned for its industrial prowess with major players like Tata, a thriving MSME sector in Adityapur, and a substantial presence of industries in the MSME and automobile sectors.
Mahato brought attention to the approved Dhalbhumgarh Airport, for which the Airport Authority of India had allocated approximately Rs 100 crore. Despite the foundation stone being laid in January 2019, the project has stagnated due to the non-receipt of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Forest Department.
The MP expressed disappointment with the response received from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, where it was stated that the proposed site falls within an elephant corridor, hindering the airport’s development. Mahato contested this claim, asserting that locals have not encountered elephants in the area and questioned the selection committee’s decision-making process.
Mahato emphasized the historical context, mentioning the existence of an airport during World War II in 1942, which refutes the current forest status. He noted that the state government has nullified the Central Government’s order, affirming the absence of an elephant corridor and deeming the current location ideal.
Despite the state government’s clear stance, Mahato expressed confusion over the delay in obtaining the Forest NOC. He urged the Central Government to intervene, liaise with the state government, and expedite the issuance of the Forest NOC to commence construction promptly.
The MP underscored the potential regional impact, asserting that the completion of Dhalbhumgarh Airport would not only benefit Jharkhand but also connect neighboring areas in West Bengal (Kharagpur, Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia) and Odisha (Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Balasore) to major cities like Jamshedpur.
In conclusion, Mahato fervently called upon the Central Government to facilitate the initiation of construction on Dhalbhumgarh Airport, emphasizing its strategic significance for the development and connectivity of the entire region.
