Assam pushes aviation expansion as CM seeks faster approval for Silchar Greenfield Airport
Assam has stepped up efforts to expand its aviation infrastructure, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urging the Centre to expedite approval for the proposed greenfield airport at Silchar during a meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Thursday.
The meeting, held at the Union Minister’s office in Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, focused on accelerating key aviation projects aimed at strengthening air connectivity and positioning Assam as a major aviation and logistics hub in the Northeast.
According to the Chief Minister, discussions covered the status of six proposed greenfield airports in the state at Silchar, Manas, Umrangso, Majuli, Diphu, and Charaideo, along with a proposed heliport at Haflong.
Sarma said the state Government has completed most of the preparatory work for the Silchar airport project and requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation to fast-track the approval process so that construction can move forward without delay.
For the remaining proposed airports, both sides agreed to expedite pre-feasibility studies to enable the projects to progress to the next stage at the earliest. The meeting also reviewed the ongoing expansion of Rupsi Airport, which has become an important regional aviation facility serving western Assam.
Speaking after the meeting, Sarma said the state Government views aviation infrastructure as a key driver of economic growth, adding that improved air connectivity would not only enhance passenger movement but also strengthen logistics, boost tourism, improve access to remote regions and create new investment opportunities.
The proposed greenfield airports are expected to significantly improve regional connectivity and support Assam’s broader strategy of emerging as a transportation and logistics gateway for Northeast India.
The meeting was attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr KK Dwivedi, and Assam Bhawan Resident Commissioner Kavitha Padmanabhan.
