MP Bidyut Baran Mahato Raises Dhalbhumgarh Airport Project Issue in Lok Sabha

Jamshedpur MP Appeals for Airport Construction to Boost Regional Connectivity

Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahato calls for action to commence the construction of Dhalbhumgarh Airport, citing regional development and connectivity benefits.

JAMSHEDPUR – The push for the commencement of Dhalbhumgarh Airport’s construction has been rekindled by Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahato, spotlighting the necessity for enhanced connectivity in Jharkhand and neighboring regions.

MP Mahato has reached out to the Central Government with a plea to collaborate with the State Government to secure the Forest No Objection Certificate, essential for initiating the airport project.

This step, he argues, would not only benefit Jharkhand but also link various districts of West Bengal and Odisha with Jamshedpur, facilitating greater economic and social integration.

The airport, proposed at a site with historical significance dating back to the Second World War, faces opposition due to environmental concerns, specifically the impact on local elephant habitats.

Despite local assertions challenging the existence of an elephant corridor, the project has been halted, awaiting an alternative site proposal after environmental evaluations deemed the current location unsuitable.

The Forest Department and the Airport Authority of India had previously conducted multiple inspections, suggesting the removal of wild bamboo thickets to clear the way for the airport.

However, the project’s progression has been stymied by the absence of a Forest Clearance Certificate from the Government of India, despite clearances from local authorities negating the presence of an elephant corridor.

Mahato’s frustration is palpable as he recalls the project’s initial approval and funding allocation by the Airport Authority of India, alongside the foundation stone laying ceremony led by prominent political figures in 2019.

The proposed airport at Dhalbhumgarh, championed by the Central Government and backed with a substantial financial pledge, remains in limbo, reflecting the complexities of balancing development with environmental preservation.