Jamshedpur–Ranchi air connectivity and Dhalbhumgarh Airport: A Necessary Step Towards Development

A.K. Srivastava

A major news report was published in the April 19 edition of a Hindi Daily regarding the early construction of Dhalbhumgarh Airport and the provision of regular air services from Jamshedpur to Ranchi, Kolkata, and Bhubaneswar.

Jharkhand, particularly the Kolhan region, is rich in minerals, forest resources, and natural wealth. Additionally, large industrial units of the Tata Group are located in Jamshedpur. For the proper utilization of these resources, increased revenue generation, and the overall development of the region, the construction of Dhalbhumgarh Airport is essential.

Jamshedpur is one of the leading industrial cities of the country, yet it is unfortunate that people here still depend on Kolkata for air travel from Sonari. Since Kolkata is an international airport, it offers connectivity to almost all major cities in India and abroad. However, traveling from Jamshedpur to Kolkata involves significant time, cost, and inconvenience.

In such a situation, a practical and immediate solution is to start daily regular flights from Sonari Airport to Ranchi. Ranchi Airport already has direct connectivity to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. If fast and regular air connectivity between Jamshedpur and Ranchi is established, passengers will be able to conveniently travel to any major city in the country.

Currently, traveling from Jamshedpur to Ranchi by road takes around 2 to 2:30 hours, whereas by air this distance can be covered in maximum 30 to 40 minutes. It is estimated that around 120 to 150 passengers travel to Ranchi daily. If small aircraft operate 2–3 flights per day, this service can prove highly successful, especially for emergency and special situations.

In this regard, the active role of the Jharkhand Government is crucial. This route should be included under the UDAN scheme to provide financial support to airlines. Additionally, tax concessions on ATF (Aviation Turbine Fuel) can make operations more affordable. Coordination with airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, and  Air India is necessary to ensure regular services. The infrastructure at Sonari Airport also needs to be strengthened.

An innovative and practical approach could be to provide check-in and boarding pass facilities at Sonari itself, and transport passengers along with their luggage securely to Ranchi Airport via dedicated buses. This would save time and make the journey more organized. However, luggage security must be ensured through barcode/QR tagging, GPS-enabled buses, CCTV surveillance, and tamper-proof sealing systems.

As a long-term solution, the construction of Dhalbhumgarh Airport is extremely important. According to government plans, around 4000–4500 acres of land are required for this project. However, land acquisition has been significantly delayed. While local MP Bidyut Baran Mahato has made continuous efforts and some progress has been achieved, local Chamber of Commerce members have also expressed their concerns through protests, yet adequate land has not been acquired so far.

If completed in a time-bound manner, this airport can provide connectivity to major cities across the country and, in the future, even international destinations. This will significantly boost investment, trade, and tourism in Jharkhand.

To make Dhalbhumgarh Airport viable and profitable, it must be integrated with regional development. Steps should be taken to revive closed mines in the Ghatshila–Musabani region, promote high-quality paddy cultivation and rice exports in the Bahragora region, and utilize the resources of the Central Rice Research Institute located in Darisol, Ghatshila.

Additionally, processing units should be established for cashew, harra, bahera, and other forest products available in the Bahragora region. The stretch from Ghatshila to Bahragora can be developed as a commercial and residential corridor, including malls, tourism infrastructure, and industrial zones, making it a comprehensive economic hub.

Bahragora’s strategic location near the borders of Odisha and West Bengal makes it highly significant for industrial and commercial development. By providing investor-friendly policies and infrastructure, this region can attract investments from across the country.

It is also important that the state government prioritizes this region in its new industrial policy. Until the airport project becomes economically viable, neither the government nor the private sector will be willing to invest heavily. Therefore, a comprehensive development model must be adopted alongside the airport project.

In conclusion, while Sonari–Ranchi air connectivity can provide immediate relief, Dhalbhumgarh Airport can serve as the foundation for Jharkhand’s long-term development. It is now essential for the government, administration, and industry stakeholders to take prompt and decisive action to provide the state with the air connectivity it has long needed.

To bring this airport project to reality, both the government and private sector must work together to create an enabling environment. Even if the initial investment does not yield immediate profits, it will eventually become a viable and beneficial project. Profit and loss are always part of investment decisions.

It is noteworthy that discussions around Chakulia–Dhalbhumgarh Airport have been ongoing since the formation of Jharkhand, yet it is unfortunate that no concrete steps have been taken so far.

(Author is President of Jamshedpur Citizen Forum. The views expressed are personal.)