Mail News Service
Jamshedpur: The long-delayed Dhalbhumgarh Airport project has gained fresh momentum as officials from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) held a crucial meeting in Ranchi to resolve pending obstacles. The project, stalled for the last six years, is now closer to approval, with efforts being made to address concerns raised by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The Jharkhand government’s Forest and Environment Ministry had sent a proposal for clearance and in response, the central ministry has sought clarifications on certain points. The Forest Department has agreed on many aspects and the remaining information will be provided by AAI, paving the way for the airport’s construction.
Aviation Ministry’s push for Dhalbhumgarh Airport
The Union Civil Aviation Ministry is keen to begin construction at any cost, as the new airport will help ease the burden on Kolkata’s Dum Dum Airport, which currently handles heavy international cargo traffic. Once operational, both cargo and passenger planes from Dum Dum may be shifted to Dhalbhumgarh.
“Efforts are being made at both central and state levels to remove hurdles in the airport’s construction. This will bring positive results,” said Ananya Mittal, DC.
Key facts about Dhalbhumgarh Airport:
Originally built during World War II
Spread over 99 hectares
Runway length: 2.5 km (west-east) and 2.1 km (south-north)
240 acres of land identified for the project
Rs 100 crore sanctioned, with a planned investment of Rs 300 crore
Foundation stone laid on January 24, 2019 by then CM Raghubar Das and Union Minister Jayant Sinha
The project, however, faced resistance from local villagers led by current Education Minister Ramdas Soren, who protested against land acquisition, demanding fair compensation for their lands in Devshol, Rodashol, Burudih, Char Chakka, Kokpada and Narsinghgarh villages.
The recent meeting, led by AAI Eastern Region Director Nivedita Dubey, focused on resolving technical issues related to the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Forest and Climate Change Ministry. With ongoing efforts, officials are optimistic that the long-awaited airport project will soon become a reality.
Why is anyone even building an airport at such a ridiculous location? It is more than 65 km away from Jamshedpur. It takes 1h 30m to reach the planned site of the Dhalbhumgarh airport if one leaves in the early hours to avoid any traffic. Once the airport is built, it will probably take a minimum of 2-3 hours to reach it from the city!! – that’s the time it takes to reach Ranchi.
Call it Ghatshila or Chakulia airport for that matter. It is all a ploy to flip land for high prices by the politicians once the project is approved.
JAMSHEDPUR DOES NEED AN AIRPORT URGENTLY AT A BETTER LOCATION – CLOSER TO THE CITY.