Assam's Greenfield Airport Initiative: Transforming Doloo Tea Estate

The Assam government has decided to allocate 3,000 bighas at Doloo Tea Estate for a greenfield airport development, increasing from 2,500 bighas. The project, which faced resistance and required clarification from AAI, includes compensation for affected families. Concurrently, the state advances various developmental projects.

The Assam government has taken a significant step by deciding to hand over 3,000 bighas of land at Doloo Tea Estate to the Airports Authority of India for constructing a greenfield airport. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced this development post a cabinet meeting, elevating the previous allocation from 2,500 bighas.

The proposal for a new airport in Silchar comes as the current Kumbhirgram airport, primarily a defense facility, cannot meet the rising air traffic demands. Despite initial controversies and protests from garden workers at Doloo, the government has assured no job losses and provided a compensation package.

In addition to the airport project, the cabinet has approved other initiatives including a Dassault Systems collaboration for an engineering project, a new Sainik School, and a policy aimed at transforming Assam into a logistics hub. Educational reforms include making Assam's history and geography mandatory in certain grades.

(With inputs from agencies.)