(a) whether the re-opening of the Rupsi Airport in Dhubri, Assam for civil and airforce operation is delayed for want of clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests;
(b) if so, whether the Ministry has taken up/Proposes to take up the issue with the Ministry of Environment and Forests for early an solution;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the time by which the said airport is likely to be operational?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Dr Mahesh Sharma)
(a) to (d): The State Government of Assam had carried out joint survey of Rupsi Airport land with Indian Air Force and Airports Authority of India officials and demarcated the boundary of the airport land. After scrutiny of records, it was found that 517.27 acres of the airport land was notified as forest land. The DFO, Prabatijhora Forest Division has taken up the issue with the office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Assam for de-notification of the land. No concrete time frame for operationalisation of the airport can be given at this stage.