Jharkhand’s Chief Secretary, R S Sharma said that that the land acquisition is a hurdle in the path of the proposed airport of Tata Steel. However, the regime in the State will lend all possible help for the project.
“We are there to lend all possible help but the steel major should also work along with the local villagers to acquire land,” said Sharma.
Chief Secretary R S Sharma and State industry secretary A P Singh, were in city for an interactive session with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Jharkhand chapter. The 400-crore international airport project of Tata Steel at Gamharia block has hit an acquisition hurdle.
“The Government cannot acquire land for the airport we can act as a facilitator for the project. We have already recommended to the Union Forest Ministry for giving land for the airport and we are waiting for the approval. The remaining land will have to be acquired by the Tata’s at their own level,” said the Chief Secretary.
During the session the industrialists opined there is no air connectivity from Jamshedpur, Adityapur to various cities and business centre. The existing airstrip of Jamshedpur Airport does not permit landing of even ATR service, hence it has become a need rather the priority of highest order to have airport in Adityapur.
“Airport is a most necessity for development of trade, commerce and industry of the area including investment. District of Saraikela Kharsawan is the prime location for Industrial in the State of Jharkhand and hence it is bounden duty of local people and representative of trade, commerce and industry to come forward and see that the airport is established,” noted S K Behara, chairman, CII, Jharkhand. The proposed international airport project of Tata Steel with a runway of 10,000 feet at Gamharia block of Seraikela Kharsawan has got green signal from Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in 2012.
When questioned on the eastern corridor, the Chief Secretary said that that industry department is looking at the detailed project report (DPR) of this project and discussion with the Tata Steel are on to expedite the process. Industry secretary, A P Singh said that discussion with Tata Steel officials will be take place at Ranchi over the tentative DPR this week.