GUWAHATI: On Sunday, the Assam government announced the transfer of 3,000 bighas (approximately 992 acres) at Doloo Tea Estate in Cachar district to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the development of a new greenfield airport, as articulated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
During a press conference following a cabinet meeting, Sarma revealed that the allocation has increased by 500 bighas from the prior commitment of 2,500 bighas (826.45 acres) for the planned airport near Silchar.
“The cabinet has sanctioned the transfer of 3,000 bighas at Doloo Tea Estate to AAI for a greenfield airport,” Sarma stated, emphasizing that this step will facilitate the necessary approval from the Union Cabinet.
The initial proposal for a new airport in Silchar was based on an existing airport in Kumbhirgram being a defense facility, limiting any expansion to meet the rising air traffic demands.
In November 2022, the Assam government had provided financial assistance to 1,296 families residing at Doloo Tea Estate as a goodwill gesture.
A controversy arose earlier that year when former Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia mentioned that no proposal had been received from the BJP-led state regarding the airport. This led to clarification stating that the land acquisition was initiated at AAI’s request.
Due to the misunderstanding, the land acquisition for the airport had sparked protests among tea garden workers. The government reassured that no workers would be displaced from their homes or lose their jobs.
The state had previously announced a compensation of Rs 50 crore for acquiring land at Doloo, Lalbagh, and Mainagarh tea gardens for the airport construction.
In June, Sarma indicated that a public inquiry had been conducted at Doloo Tea Estate, during which workers, represented by the Asom Mojuri Shramik Union (AMSU), expressed dissatisfaction and requested either the return of the acquired land or a similar amount elsewhere for tea cultivation.
In addition to this initiative, the Chief Minister mentioned that the cabinet approved land allotments for 1,200 families under the Mission Basundhara scheme.
The cabinet also sanctioned a collaborative project at the state-run Assam Engineering College with Dassault Systems India Pvt Ltd. “This project, spanning over 5,000 sq ft and costing Rs 243 crore, will offer courses in aerospace and defense, as well as automotive and electric vehicles,” Sarma explained. Of this total, the Assam government will contribute Rs 43 crore while Dassault Systems will invest Rs 200 crore.
Sarma further announced the cabinet’s administrative approval for the establishment of Assam’s second Sainik School in Longvaku, Karbi Anglong district. “The school will be constructed at an expense of Rs 335 crore, with the Ministry of Defence covering 80% and the Assam government 20%,” he added.
The cabinet also consented to compensate 884 families for land taken during the construction of the four-lane National Highway in Dima Hasao district.
The Chief Minister stated that the cabinet approved the Assam Logistics and Warehousing Policy, 2025, aimed at transforming Assam into a prominent logistics hub.
“The cabinet also endorsed the inclusion of Assam’s history and geography as compulsory subjects for classes 6, 7, and 8. This decision follows recommendations from a high-level committee led by retired Justice Biplab Kumar Sharma established to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord,” he added.
