SILCHAR, July 26: If the words of Minister of State (IC) for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri are to be believed, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has received a proposal to develop a new greenfield airport at Silchar.
The response from the Minister came in reply to an unstarred question (no. 5361) on whether there is any proposal to build new or develop existing airports in Assam and other states in North East raised by Guwahati MP Queen Ojha on July 25.
Yes, the AAI has received a green field airport at Silchar. Also, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted 'in principle' approval for setting up of a new greenfield airport at Hollongi in Arunachal Pradesh for which steps for bidding documents are in process," Puri said in the reply.
Further, the Minister mentioned that for the Silchar airport, the AAI has requested the State Government to share the land details for conducting the pre-feasibility study. The timeline for setting up of airports though, according to Puri, depends upon a host of factors including mandatory clearances, financial closures, etc.
Referring to the question on the development of existing airports across North East, the minister informed that the AAI has started work to build new terminal building at the LGBI Airport at Guwahati and also at the Imphal airport, re-carpetting of runway at Leelabari airport, extension of runway and other important allied works at Dibrugarh and Barapani airports, strengthening of runway at the Dimapur airport, construction of hangar and cargo building at Agartala airport and other development work at Rupsi and Teju airports.
AAI sources at Silchar airport informed that the proposal was sent long time ago considering the ever increasing rush of passengers from here. The present airport located at Kumbhirgram is struggling to accomodate passengers. Minimum of 1000 acres of land is necessary out of which at least 400 acres would be required for setting up the runway only.
Sources also said with a possibility of a new airline service likely to start it's operation at the present airport within next few months, the rush of passengers would be much more.
Meanwhile, Cachar Deputy Commissioner Laya Madduri told The Assam Tribune on Friday that the district administration is exploring suitable location in and around the district for the new greenfield airport and an preliminary recce for land demarcation is already done.
Asked whether the issue was discussed during the recent visit of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal here, Madduri said, "We are processing for a suitable land for the airport for which initial recce has been done. The issue was discussed in the meeting with honourable Chief Minister and the report would be sent within this week."