Dhalbhumgarh Airport latest news once again gains traction in the city of Jamshedpur. In his parliamentary seat of Jamshedpur, Member of Parliament Bidyut Baran Mahato expressed grave concerns regarding the protracted delay in the construction of Dhalbhumgarh Airport. He emphasised the importance of the area, which is well-known for its industrial strength and is home to important companies like Tata, a strong MSME sector in Adityapur, and a sizable concentration of enterprises in the automotive and MSME sectors.
Mahato drew attention to the Dhalbhumgarh Airport, which was approved and for which the Airport Authority of India had set aside about Rs 100 crore. The project is stalled even though the foundation stone was placed in January 2019 because the Forest Department has not issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The Minister of Civil Aviation’s statement, which claimed that the suggested location is inside an elephant corridor and would impede the growth of the airport, disappointed the MP. Mahato refuted this assertion, claiming that the people have not seen elephants in the region and raising concerns about the selecting committee’s method of making decisions.
Mahato emphasised the historical background, pointing out that the current situation of the forest is contradicted by the 1942 existence of an airport during World War II. He stated that the decision from the Central Government had been overturned by the state government, which confirmed that there was no elephant corridor and that the existing location was perfect.
Mahato expressed bewilderment at the delay in receiving the Forest NOC despite the state government’s unambiguous position. He pleaded with the federal government to step in, communicate with the state administration, and issue the Forest NOC as soon as possible so that building could get underway.
In addition to benefiting Jharkhand, the MP emphasised the potential regional impact, stating that the completion of Dhalbhumgarh Airport would connect nearby areas in West Bengal (Kharagpur, Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia) and Odisha (Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Balasore) to major cities like Jamshedpur.
Mahato concluded by strongly urging the Central Government to expedite the start of Dhalbhumgarh Airport construction, highlighting the airport’s strategic importance for the growth and connectivity of the entire region.