Jamshedpur: The Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) staged a peaceful protest at Postal Park near Gopal Maidan on Saturday, demanding that the government immediately greenlight the long-pending Dhalbhumgarh Airport project. Hundreds of citizens, industry leaders, and social representatives joined the demonstration to push for air connectivity in Jamshedpur and the wider Kolhan region.
Five Years of Delays
Chamber President Manav Kedia reminded the gathering that the project’s foundation stone was laid in January 2019. He criticized the lack of progress, noting that Jamshedpur—a premier industrial hub in eastern India—continues to suffer without direct air links. Kedia argued that the delay stifles investment, trade, and tourism, and he urged both the Central and Jharkhand governments to clear regulatory hurdles and release a time-bound action plan.
General Secretary Puneet Kauntia and Vice President Abhishek Agarwal (Goldy) echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the airport would trigger industrial expansion and job creation. They noted that Jamshedpur currently lags behind other industrial centers due to poor connectivity with neighboring West Bengal and Odisha.
Political Support and Civic Participation
Jamshedpur Member of Parliament Bidyut Baran Mahto joined the protesters, calling the airport crucial for the region’s development. He pledged to continue lobbying the Central Government to expedite the project.
Approximately 500 prominent citizens and business leaders attended the protest, including:
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SCCI Representatives: Puneet Kauntia, Abhishek Agarwal, Harsh Bankerwal, and Anil Modi.
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Industry Voices: Suresh Sonthalia, Bharat Makani, and Nirmal Kabra.
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Community Leaders: Vineeta Sah, Jagdish Khandelwal, and several others.
Memorandum Submitted to Chief Minister
Following the demonstration, the SCCI submitted a formal memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren through the East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner’s office. Deputy Development Commissioner Nagendra Paswan received the document, which requests the state government to coordinate with the Center and fast-track the project.
The Chamber expressed hope that the state will prioritize this critical infrastructure to finally realize the decade-long dream of a functional airport in Dhalbhumgarh.
