Assam Government Allocates Land for New Greenfield Airport
New Airport Development in Assam
Guwahati, Dec 8: The Assam government has announced the transfer of 3,000 bighas (approximately 992 acres) of land at Doloo Tea Estate in Cachar district to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the establishment of a greenfield airport, as stated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday.
During a press briefing following a cabinet meeting, Sarma revealed that the cabinet has approved an increase of 500 bighas from the initial allocation of 2,500 bighas (826.45 acres) for the airport project near Silchar.
He emphasized, "The cabinet has sanctioned the transfer of 3,000 bighas at Doloo Tea Estate to the AAI for the construction of a greenfield airport," noting that this decision is crucial for obtaining the Union Cabinet's endorsement for the initiative.
The proposed airport is intended to serve as an alternative to the current facility at Kumbhirgram, which is a defense airport with limited expansion capabilities. In November 2022, the government provided financial aid to 1,296 families residing at Doloo Tea Estate as a gesture of goodwill.
The land acquisition process faced controversy in 2022, with former Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia indicating that the Centre had not received any proposal for the airport. It was later clarified that the land acquisition was initiated at the request of the AAI. Protests erupted among tea garden workers, but the government assured that no workers would be displaced and that jobs would remain secure.
Previously, the government had announced a compensation package of Rs 50 crore for land acquisition across Doloo, Lalbagh, and Mainagarh tea gardens. In June, Sarma mentioned that a public hearing at Doloo Tea Estate had concluded, where workers represented by the Asom Mojuri Shramik Union (AMSU) expressed their dissatisfaction, demanding either the return of the acquired land or alternative land for tea cultivation.
In addition to the airport project, the cabinet approved land allotment for 1,200 families under Mission Basundhara. Furthermore, a joint project between Assam Engineering College and Dassault Systems India Pvt. Ltd. was also approved.
Sarma explained that this project, which will span 5,000 sq ft and cost Rs 243 crore, will provide courses in aerospace and defense, automotive, and electric vehicles. The state will invest Rs 43 crore, while Dassault Systems will contribute Rs 200 crore.
The cabinet also granted administrative approval for the establishment of Assam’s second Sainik School in Longvaku, Karbi Anglong district, with a budget of Rs 335 crore, where 80% of the funding will come from the Ministry of Defence and the remaining 20% from the Assam government.
Additionally, compensation was approved for 884 families affected by land acquisition during the construction of a four-lane National Highway in Dima Hasao district. The cabinet also endorsed the Assam Logistics and Warehousing Policy, 2025, aimed at positioning the state as a significant logistics hub.
Moreover, it was decided that Assam’s history and geography will be mandatory subjects for students in classes 6, 7, and 8, following recommendations from a high-level committee led by retired Justice Biplab Kumar Sharma.