HT Correspondent
KHERONI, Feb 11: The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has received a proposal for the construction of a greenfield airport in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, situated just 61 kilometres from Dimapur Airport, marking a significant step toward enhancing air connectivity and economic growth in the northeastern region. The union minister of state for civil aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, disclosed the development on recently while responding to an unstarred question raised by MP Upendra Kushwaha in the Rajya Sabha.
Mohol highlighted that the Government of India has granted in-principle approval for 21 new greenfield airports across the country, with 12 already operationalised.
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As defined by the minister, a greenfield airport refers to infrastructure built entirely from scratch on undeveloped land, emphasising its role in expanding aviation networks without existing constraints.
The proposed airport in Diphu, Karbi Anglong, has advanced significantly, with consultants SRV Techno Engineering Pvt Ltd & DSDNA (New Delhi) submitting the final Detailed Project Report (DPR) to Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council’s (KAAC) Chief Executive Member (CEM), Tuliram Ronghang.
The Assam government has already acquired the necessary land for the project, which was facilitated by the KAAC.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been entrusted with soil investigation and topographical surveys, with 90% of the allocated funds for these activities already disbursed.
The airport, slated for Chotalangpher, Jamunapar Mauza under Diphu Revenue Circle, promises direct air connectivity to major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mumbai.
Beyond travel convenience, the project is expected to generate employment and spur commercial development in the region, aligning with broader goals of regional upliftment.
This initiative forms part of the Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed on September 4, 2021, under the Government of India’s Special Development Project (SDP), which prioritises infrastructure development in Karbi Anglong.
The airport is listed in serial number 15, a key project under the SDP’s Annexure-II, underscoring its strategic importance.
With the DPR finalised, the AAI will proceed with detailed surveys and construction planning, pending final approvals from central and state authorities.
Stakeholders anticipate the project will catalyse tourism, trade, and investment in Assam’s underserved regions.
The Karbi Anglong’s greenfield airport symbolises a leap forward in India’s aviation ambitions and regional equity, poised to bridge connectivity gaps while driving socio-economic transformation in the Northeast.
