Delayed Dhalbhumgarh Airport Project eyes final green signal
Pioneer News Service
Jamshedpur
The long-delayed Dhalbhumgarh Airport project has gained fresh momentum, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) taking major steps to address environmental concerns that had stalled the project for nearly seven years.
The project has been relisted on the Central Government’s Parivesh portal, and the AAI is expected to submit detailed replies to the 19 objections raised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) within the next few days. Officials are hopeful this will pave the way for the long-awaited forest clearance.
A key factor supporting the project is a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) prepared by the AAI. The report estimates that diverting 99.25 hectares of forest land would cause an environmental loss of about ₹29.56 crore. However, it projects economic and social benefits worth ₹1,438.95 crore over the next 50 years, resulting in a benefit-cost ratio of 1:48.6. This means the anticipated gains would be nearly 48 times greater than the estimated environmental cost.
The proposed airport is expected to significantly improve air connectivity in the Kolhan region, covering East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts, while also benefiting nearby areas of West Bengal and Odisha.
Once operational, the airport is expected to handle around 52,000 passengers annually. Passenger services alone are projected to generate nearly ₹1,300 crore over the next five decades, in addition to revenue from airline operations, landing fees and other airport-related services.
The project is also expected to boost employment and the local economy. Around 250 workers are likely to be employed during construction, while about 50 permanent jobs will be created after commissioning. It is also expected to support growth in logistics, transportation, hospitality and allied sectors.
The airport is proposed on a World War II-era airstrip under the Centre’s UDAN scheme. Although its foundation stone was laid in 2019, the project was delayed because the site falls within a reserved forest and an elephant corridor. The Environment Ministry had sought clarifications on wildlife protection, forest conservation and compensatory measures.
With the AAI preparing responses to all pending environmental concerns, officials believe the project is now closer to securing approval and could become a major infrastructure boost for Jharkhand by improving connectivity and driving regional economic growth.
Jamshedpur
The long-delayed Dhalbhumgarh Airport project has gained fresh momentum, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) taking major steps to address environmental concerns that had stalled the project for nearly seven years.
The project has been relisted on the Central Government’s Parivesh portal, and the AAI is expected to submit detailed replies to the 19 objections raised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) within the next few days. Officials are hopeful this will pave the way for the long-awaited forest clearance.
A key factor supporting the project is a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) prepared by the AAI. The report estimates that diverting 99.25 hectares of forest land would cause an environmental loss of about ₹29.56 crore. However, it projects economic and social benefits worth ₹1,438.95 crore over the next 50 years, resulting in a benefit-cost ratio of 1:48.6. This means the anticipated gains would be nearly 48 times greater than the estimated environmental cost.
The proposed airport is expected to significantly improve air connectivity in the Kolhan region, covering East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts, while also benefiting nearby areas of West Bengal and Odisha.
Once operational, the airport is expected to handle around 52,000 passengers annually. Passenger services alone are projected to generate nearly ₹1,300 crore over the next five decades, in addition to revenue from airline operations, landing fees and other airport-related services.
The project is also expected to boost employment and the local economy. Around 250 workers are likely to be employed during construction, while about 50 permanent jobs will be created after commissioning. It is also expected to support growth in logistics, transportation, hospitality and allied sectors.
The airport is proposed on a World War II-era airstrip under the Centre’s UDAN scheme. Although its foundation stone was laid in 2019, the project was delayed because the site falls within a reserved forest and an elephant corridor. The Environment Ministry had sought clarifications on wildlife protection, forest conservation and compensatory measures.
With the AAI preparing responses to all pending environmental concerns, officials believe the project is now closer to securing approval and could become a major infrastructure boost for Jharkhand by improving connectivity and driving regional economic growth.
