A CORRESPONDENT
KHERONI: Dr Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), led a delegation on Wednesday to submit a memorandum to Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, in New Delhi. The memorandum emphasized the pressing need to implement the Greenfield Airport Project in Karbi Anglong, a promise enshrined in the 2021 Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) with the Government of India. Despite this commitment, funding delays have hindered progress, though Dr Ronghang firmly stated that abandoning the project is not an option.
To uphold the MoS and improve air connectivity for Assam’s hill districts, the KAAC has proposed shifting the airport site to Kheroni in West Karbi Anglong. “The Kheroni location is more centrally situated and can serve the districts of Hojai, Nagaon, Dima Hasao, West Karbi Anglong, and Karbi Anglong,” Dr Ronghang explained. He added that this change would enhance the project’s commercial viability and provide better connectivity to a larger population.
The KAAC has called on the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Government of Assam to take swift action to fulfil this long-standing commitment. The delegation included notable figures such as Member of Parliament Amarsing Tisso, MLA Darsing Ronghang (Howraghat), KAAC Executive Members Lunsing Teron and Surjya Rongphar, MAC Dr Mongve Rongpi, former MP and CEM Dr Jayanta Rongpi, ex-MLA Dr Dharamsing Teron (Director of the Centre for Karbi Studies), former EM Elwin Teron, and other prominent dignitaries.
Originally planned for Chotalangfer (Borlangphar) in Jamunapar Mauza under Diphu Revenue Circle, Karbi Anglong, the project has seen significant progress. Consultants SRV Techno Engineering Pvt Ltd and DSDNA, New Delhi have submitted the final Detailed Project Report (DPR) to Dr Ronghang. A greenfield airport of this scale requires at least 3,000 acres (approximately 5,000 bighas) to accommodate modern facilities, including multiple runways, terminal aprons, parking areas, electricity, and access roads. A runway length of at least 3,000 meters (approximately 3 kilometers) is also necessary to support large commercial aircraft.
The proposed Kheroni site, however, is known for its agricultural productivity and fertile soil, raising potential concerns. While greenfield airports are typically built on undeveloped land, construction on agricultural terrain is feasible but often sparks debate over environmental and economic impacts. The final decision on the site rests with the KAAC and relevant authorities, who must weigh these factors carefully.
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