Dhubri, June 26: The Rupshi Airport that was made operational again after four decades on 8th May this year is getting a very positive response from the passengers going out and coming to the district of Dhubri and Kokrajhar, from all over the country amid the pandemic restrictions.
The newly-launched domestic airlines by FlyBig started their operations in the Rupshi Airport by flying an ATR-72 airline to Guwahati and Kolkata. And the Airport Authorities informed that a total of 2,221 passengers had travelled through this airport,since 8th May 2021 till Monday, the total movement is at 98.49% for departure and 49% for arrivals.
"Since the past one month we have been operating flights with 50% occupancy due to the Pandemic restrictions",said Airport In-charge Jyotirmoy Boruah. He also added that even at the time when the movements are restricted and people are moving out of stations only for very important works, the airport has been a great service to the commuters of this area and has been getting a 'very positive response'.
The airport is getting most of their passengers from Western Assam as well as for the neighbouring states of West Bengal and Meghalaya had a significant contribution to World War-II, was functional till early 1980's after which it became operational again on May 8.It can also be mentioned that the airport started during the World War II in 1945, stopped operating completely in the year 1984 and ever since it remained abandoned, and in its entire 447 acres of area, jungles cropped up all over in such a way that it became rich in flora and fauna population.
However, the Airports Authority of India has re-developed this World War-II era air strip of Assam at an estimated cost of Rs. 69 Crore. The foundation stone for this re-development project was laid by former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in February 2019. An area of 337 acres, out of the total land 447 acres was newly developed for the airport with a terminal building measuring 3,500 sqm and 10 check-in counters. The entire terminal is designed to manage about 200 passengers during peak hours. The newly built runway is suitable for landing ATR-72 type aircraft. Fly big airline was awarded routes under UDAN-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik scheme of Government of India to operate flight service at Rupsi by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, through abiding process.
