Assam pushes aviation expansion as CM seeks faster approval for Silchar Greenfield Airport

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the state government is working to fast-track major aviation infrastructure projects after a 'very productive' meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu in New Delhi.

In a post on X following the meeting at the Union Minister's office in Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, the Chief Minister said both leaders shared the vision of transforming Assam into a key aviation and logistics hub in the Northeast.

The meeting reviewed the status of six proposed greenfield airports in the state — at Silchar, Manas, Umrangso, Majuli, Diphu and Charaideo — as well as a proposed heliport at Haflong.


Sarma said the state has completed most of the preparatory work for the proposed greenfield airport at Silchar and urged the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to expedite the approval process.

For the remaining proposed airports, the Chief Minister said both sides agreed to accelerate the ongoing pre-feasibility studies so that the projects can move to the next stage at the earliest.

The meeting also reviewed the ongoing expansion plan of Rupsi Airport, which has emerged as an important regional aviation facility in western Assam.

Describing it as an exciting phase for the state's aviation sector, Sarma said the government's objective extends beyond improving air connectivity. He said the expansion of airport infrastructure would help create new economic opportunities, strengthen logistics, promote tourism and support the state's long-term development.

The proposed greenfield airports are expected to improve regional connectivity, enhance access to remote areas and complement Assam's broader efforts to emerge as a major transportation and logistics gateway in Northeast India.

The meeting was attended by Secretary, Civil Aviation, Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, K K Dwivedi, and Resident Commissioner, Assam Bhawan, Kavitha Padmanabhan.