Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Lays Foundation of World War-II Airport

KOKRAJHAR/DHUBRI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone for the development and construction of Rupsi Airport under Parbhatjhora subdivision in Kokrajhar district on Friday. Union Minister of Commerce and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu addressed the function through the video link.

Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Executive Member (CEM) Hagrama Mohilary, Minister Chandan Brahma, the Northeast director of the Airport Authority of India, Engineering, and others were also present at the function.

The airport is going to have air communication with the rest of the country and the neighboring countries as well in the coming days under Udan-2. The project will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 69 crore and to be completed by September next.

According to official records, Rupsi Airport has located about 70 km from BTC headquarters Kokajhar and 15 km from Dhubri town. The airstrip has been defunct since 1980. The AAI and the Indian Air Force (IAF) began works to revive the airfield. Civil operations to the airport will begin under the government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme.

The airport that was constructed during World War II is considered to be of utmost importance for western Assam where there are no air bases. This airport will give access of military operations to a number of Bangladesh airports. The airport with a single terminal spread across 3,500 square metres has a runway of 6,000 feet.

In his speech, the Chief Minister said: “The Rupsi Airport is getting a new look as the AAI and the Civil Aviation department have taken a special interest for its development. The airport is going to have air communication with rest of the country as well as the neighboring countries in the coming days.”

The construction of the airport was awarded to East India Company which will carry the works in the first phase with Rs. 69 crore sanctioned by the Central Government.

On May 24 last year, the Bhumi pujan was performed and spade works got underway. In February last year, land measuring 1071 bighas belonging to Rupshi Airport under the Bogribari Revenue Circle of BTC was formally handed over to the AAI by BTC deputy secretary Arun Basumatary.

When contacted by The Sentinel, president and secretary of Rupshi Airport Revival Demand Committee Bimal Oswal and Jyotirmoy Chakraborty expressed satisfaction over the beginning of works to reopen the airstrip.

“Reopening works of this historic airport from the extreme west of Assam after nearly 40 years will not only boost to the communication network but also prove to be highly beneficial for economic and commercial activities,” Oswal said.

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