Silchar: The proposed Doloo Greenfield Airport project in Cachar district has received the required forest and environmental clearances and construction will begin soon, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday.This marks a major step forward for the long-pending aviation project in the Barak Valley.Addressing a public meeting in Silchar during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to launch projects worth ₹23,550 crore in the region, Sarma said the clearances have paved the way for the implementation of the ambitious airport project, which is expected to significantly improve air connectivity and accelerate economic growth in southern Assam.Describing the airport as a “historic initiative” for the Barak Valley, the CM said the proposed world-class civil airport will transform regional connectivity and act as a major catalyst for trade, tourism and investment in the region.The project falls under the airports & aviation infrastructure sub-sector and will be developed by the Airports Authority of India at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore. The construction is scheduled to begin on Apr 1, 2027, with completion targeted by Sept 30, 2029.According to official plans, nearly 3,000 bighas (about 992 acres) of land from the Doloo Tea Estate will be transferred for the airport project. Earlier proposals had envisaged construction starting in late 2025 and completion by late 2027, but the timeline has since been revised.Sarma said the airport will play a crucial role in improving connectivity for the Barak Valley and neighbouring regions, besides opening new economic opportunities.The CM also announced that work on the mini secretariat at Srikona near Silchar began on Saturday.Referring to the upcoming Assam assembly elections, Sarma expressed confidence that BJP would return to power in the state. He said the large turnout at Saturday’s public meeting and the response from people indicated strong public support for the party.“The massive participation of people today shows that Narendra Modi’s govt will return to Assam for another term,” Sarma said.
