Public Hearing On Dolu Greenfield Airport Project Concludes Peacefully With Overwhelming Support: DC Cachar

The public hearing for the proposed Greenfield Airport at Dolu in the Cachar, Assam, concluded peacefully on Monday (June 23), marking a major milestone in the ambitious infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity in Barak Valley. The project has been in the talks since 2019 and gained momentum in 2021-22 when thousands of tea plants in Dolu Tea Gardens were bulldozed to clear land for the project.

Organised by the Assam Pollution Control Board as per the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification dated 14 September 2006, the hearing was held near the Bon Durga Mandir at Dolu. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the proponent of the project.

Cachar Deputy Commissioner Mridul Yadav, addressing the media, confirmed that 151 memorandums had been submitted in connection with the project. “Out of these, 145 were in support — about 95% — while only four to five expressed objections. Even those opposing the project were not against the airport per se but raised concerns about rehabilitation, pollution control, employment, and environmental safeguards,” he said.

Around 800 people attended the hearing, and 32 speakers, representing over 50 organisations, shared their views. “Of the 32, 25 were fully in support. Three to four opposed, and the rest demanded better implementation and compensatory measures. This democratic exercise reflected overwhelming support,” Yadav said, adding that the proceedings were recorded and will be forwarded to the government for further consideration.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, sharing a post on microblogging platform X, hailed the event as “a significant milestone in the journey to transform Barak Valley into a hub of connectivity and development.”

The CM had also indicated in May that construction work could begin later in 2025 following discussions with the Union Civil Aviation Minister.

The Dolu Greenfield Airport project has been a subject of intense public interest since its announcement, and Monday’s peaceful and largely supportive hearing has further bolstered its prospects.