Assam: Public Hearing For Cachar’s Greenfield Dolu Airport Project Concludes Successfully

The hearing was conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to assess the environmental impact of the project.

Assam Chief Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday informed a public hearing has been completed peacefully at Cachar district’s Doloo Tea Estate, where the government has decided to acquire land for setting up a greenfield airport.

The hearing was conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to assess the environmental impact of the project.

Taking to X, CM Sarma said, “A Major Step Forward. The public hearing for the Greenfield Dolu Airport project in Cachar district concluded peacefully today- a significant milestone in our journey to transform Barak Valley into a hub of connectivity and development.”

A Major Step Forward ✈️

The public hearing for the Greenfield Dolu Airport project in Cachar district concluded peacefully today- a significant milestone in our journey to transform Barak Valley into a hub of connectivity and development.

We are now one step closer to realising…

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 23, 2025

He expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their cooperation and reiterated the government’s commitment to realising its vision for the region.

“We are now one step closer to realising our grand vision for the region. Gratitude to all stakeholders for their cooperation and support,” he added.

As part of the proceedings, the Cachar District Administration received around 150 memorandum submissions from various organizations. Talking to media Cachar district’s District Commissioner Mridul Yadav stated that the meeting was fruitful.

DC Mridul Yadav added that out of 150 memorandums, 145 were in support of the airport project. Over 50 individuals representing different organizations and groups presented their views during the hearing, with nearly 95% expressing support for the airport’s construction.

Cachar Deputy Commissioner Mridul Yadav and officials from the Environmental Regulatory Department were present at the event. Tight security arrangements were in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the hearing.

The proposed airport aims to address the limitations of the existing Kumbhirgram airport in Silchar, which operates as a defense facility and cannot accommodate the growing demands of civilian air traffic.

In November 2022, the state government had distributed financial assistance to 1,296 families at Doloo Tea Estate as a goodwill gesture, but resistance from workers has continued.

Under the Asom Mojuri Shramik Union (AMSU), tea estate workers have voiced concerns, demanding either the return of acquired land or the allocation of equivalent land elsewhere for tea cultivation.
A controversy had arisen over the Assam government’s efforts to acquire land for setting up a greenfield airport with the then Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia claiming that no such proposal was received for the facility from the state.

However, it was established later that the state was acquiring 2,500 bighas (826.45 acres) of land in Cachar district at the request of the central PSU Airports Authority of India.

The land acquisition of Doloo Tea Estate for the airport prompted the workers to protest. The government assured them that no worker would be evicted from their homes and there would be no job loss.

The state government had previously announced a compensation of Rs 50 crore for the acquisition of land at Doloo, Lalbagh, and Mainagarh tea gardens for setting up the greenfield airport.

Also Read: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Meets Civil Aviation Minister K R Naidu, Discusses Green Field Airport at Silchar

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