Dhalbhumgarh Airport

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Dhalbhumgarh Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerDhalbhumgarh Airport Limited (DAL)
OperatorAirports Authority of India
ServesJamshedpur
LocationDhalbhumgarh, East Singhbhum district, Jharkhand
Elevation AMSL413 ft / 126 m
Coordinates22°31′25″N 086°33′44″E / 22.52361°N 86.56222°E / 22.52361; 86.56222
Map
Dhalbhumgarh Airport is located in Jharkhand
Dhalbhumgarh Airport
Dhalbhumgarh Airport
Dhalbhumgarh Airport is located in India
Dhalbhumgarh Airport
Dhalbhumgarh Airport
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
01/19 5,712 1,741 Concrete
13/31 5,810 1,771 Concrete

Dhalbhumgarh Airport (IATA: none, ICAO: none) is a proposed domestic airport, which will serve the city of Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India. It will be built on a former World War II era airfield in Dhalbhumgarh in East Singhbhum district, about 60 km (37 mi) from Jamshedpur. The Government of Jharkhand and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of the airport on 24 January 2019.[1] Under the MoU, a joint venture company would be set up to construct the airport.[2][3][4] The project was initially expected to be completed by December 2020.[5]

Due to delays and the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport was expected to open by 2022, but construction had not started yet.[6][7] However, In December 2022, land acquisition for a 3.5 km link road connecting to the airport was started and the construction of the approach Road for Airport was completed in July 2023.[8][9][10][11][12][13] The construction of the airport is expected to start once it receives necessary forest clearance from the Forest Department of the State Government, which is still under progress.[14][15][16] Once completed, it will become the main airport for Jamshedpur and adjoining regions, by replacing the existing Sonari Airport.

History[edit]

Airport site during the Groundbreaking Ceremony

The former airfield was built in 1942, during World War II, as an ancillary runway for other airfields in the vicinity that were being built around India's eastern frontier as part of the war effort. It was one of the airfields used by allied forces to repel the advancing Japanese troops and to maintain transport links with China. As the Japanese forces came to control shipping in the South China Sea, seaborne supply routes to China were cut, and the difficult, 500 km (310 mi) route over the Himalayas, was increasingly used.[17] The airfield was abandoned after the war. Currently, there are two Runways vis 01/19 with dimensions 1741 m x 45 m & 13/31 with dimensions 1771 m x45 m. The surface of runway is not suitable for operations. No other facility are available at the airport.[3]

The airport was to have 3 km long runway. The AAI had planned to invest ₹ 300 crores for the new airport and the state was to provide 300 acres of land for the project.[4] The then Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Raghubar Das, performed the ground breaking ceremony of the airport project on 24 January 2019 and the Government signed the MoU with the AAI on the same day.[1] Under the MoU, a joint venture company would be set up to construct the airport, in which AAI would have a 51 percent stake, while the State Government would own the remaining.[18] According to the memorandum, AAI would invest ₹ 100 crores to construct the airport while the State would provide the land required for the project. It will be built in two phases. The first phase will have an area of 240 acres and the runway of 1,745 metres along with a terminal building, an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, Fire Station and a terminal building will be built. The runway will handle ATR-72 type aircraft. The terminal building, measuring 15,000 square feet, will have six check-in counters and will be able to handle 150 passengers during peak hours. The runway will be extended to 2,179 metres to handle Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 type aircraft as part of the first phase. In the second phase, an additional 545 acres would be acquired to increase the runway length to operate larger aircraft, along with the expansion of the terminal to handle more traffic.[2] The runway will be expanded to 4,400 metres, making it capable for handling Airbus A380 and Boeing 747 type aircraft.[6]

Project timeline[edit]

  • June 2017 : The technical team of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) scouted the region for a suitable location for an airport for Jamshedpur and visited Chakulia and Dhalbhumgarh. After considering all factors, the team chose the Dhalbhumgarh site for the airport. The AAI decided to invest ₹ 100 crores to construct the airport while the State would provide the land required for the project. It will be built in two phases.[19]
  • September 2017 : The Ministry of Defence had staked its claim over more than half of the airport project land that was owned by the government.
  • September 2018 : The Ministry of Defence gave clearance to the Ministry of Civil Aviation for the construction of the proposed airport.[20]
  • January 2019 : The then Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Raghubar Das, and the Minister of State (Civil Aviation), Jayant Sinha and Jamshedpur MP, Bidyut Baran Mahato, performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the airport project on 24 January 2019, and the Government of Jharkhand signed the MoU with the AAI on the same day.[1]
  • December 2019 : On 26 December, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change suggested that creation of an airport at a site nearer to Jamshedpur will be better for the people of the city, by at first, knowing the site's pros and cons before starting construction. However, the EAC after detailed deliberation upon the proposal asked the project proponent (AAI) to submit a revised pre-feasibility study report, as well as in view of the foregoing observations, the EAC recommended to defer the proposal for the construction of an airport. The proposal shall be reconsidered after the revised pre-feasibility study report is submitted to the committee.[21][22]
  • August 2022 : Site Inspection of the proposed airport was conducted from 22 March 2022 to 10 June 2022, and since the airport will be an infrastructure along the National Highway, it can boost the economies of Ghatsila, Musabani and Chakulia. Therefore, the proposal may be implemented in the wider interest of the population living around the site.[23][24]
  • December 2022 : Land acquisition for a 3.5 km link road connecting to the airport started.[8][9][10]
  • January 2023 : The airport project has hit a roadblock with the forest department, which did not accept to give a No Objection Certificate (NOC) necessary for its construction, because the former airfield lies in a deep forest area known as the Elephant Corridor, and if the airport is built, it may affect and harm the environment in the region.[25]
  • March 2023 : The AAI has decided to the dissolution of the Dhalbhumgarh Airport Limited and sent letter to the Government of Jharkhand for the consent as per the procedure. Response is awaited from the State Government in this regard.[26][27]
  • April 2023 : On 3 April during laying the foundation stone of the expansion project of the Tinplate Company, the Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that the state government is brainstorming about the airport in Jamshedpur. He said that he himself is worried about it. The current airstrip can be used. This will be suitable for passenger aircraft, cargo aircraft should be started from there, the process of negotiation is going on with the central government. He will talk to the central Govt on this Matter.[28] Later on the next day i.e., on 4 April Ranchi Airport authorities through their official Twitter Handle said on the matter related to delay in getting Forest Clearance that "Matter is being pursued with State Govt of Jharkhand for either to get forest clearance at the earliest or dropping the project".[29]
  • May 2023 : The Construction of (3.5 km) Airport Approach Road achieves 92% physical progress : Road Construction Department (RCD), Govt of Jharkhand.[30]
  • July 2023 : The Construction of (3.5 km) Airport Approach Road was completed : Circle Officer, Dhalbhumgarh.[13] Whereas, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Sanjay Srivastava says that Forest Clearance on the matter of Airport construction has not been given yet. Investigation is going on regarding the presence of Elephant Corridor, discussions are also going on on some points. The report will be submitted to the government as soon as the investigation is completed.[31]
  • February 2024 : Gram Sabha will soon be held in Dhalbhumgarh. The administration is taking help from local Panchayat representatives to resolve the airport land dispute. Seeing the positive attitude of the villagers of Dhalbhumgarh, the administration will fix the day of Gram Sabha : Government Sources.[32][33][34]
  • March 2024 : The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Executive Director of Waste Land Development Board of Jharkhand Forest, Shashikar Samanta on 20th of March recommends diversion of 99.256 Hectares of Forest Land for the Stage - I Forest Clearance.[35][15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Govt inks MoU for Dhalbhumgarh Airport". The Pioneer. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Cabinet clears Jharkhand's first ST commission". The Hindustan Times. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  3. ^ a b Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) for Development of Dhalbhumgarh Airport in the State of Jharkhand (PDF) (Report). Airports Authority of India. 2023-01-02.
  4. ^ a b "GOVT ZEROED IN ON DHALBHUMGARH FOR NEW JAMSHEDPUR AIRPORT". The Pioneer. 4 June 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Ground breaking ceremony of Dhalbhumgarh airport by the end of January". Business Standard. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Jamshedpur: Dhalbhumgarh airport work to begin this month". The Times of India. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  7. ^ "Jamshedpur set to get air connectivity under Centre's Udaan scheme". India Today. 2022-09-17.
  8. ^ a b "Dhalbhumgarh Airport का कोल्हान वासियों को जल्द मिलेगा तोहफा, Road के लिए जमीन अधिग्रहण की प्रक्रिया शुरू". Prabhat Khabar (in Hindi). Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  9. ^ a b Jamshedpur, District Administration, East Singhbhum (2022-12-07), English: Primary Notification for Dhalbhumgarh Airport approach Road ( village – Burudih, charchaka, Ghashidih, Kanimahuli) (PDF), retrieved 2023-01-03{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ a b "Jamshedpur नए साल में शुरू हो सकती है सबलीज रजिस्ट्री डीसी, नए साल में सचिव से करूंगी बात, राजस्व आएगा तो विकास होगा". samacharnama.com (in Hindi). 2023-01-03. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  11. ^ Dhalbhumgarh, Circle Officer (2023-02-11), English: For the reconstruction work of the approach road of Dhalbhumgarh Airport, the verification of the register 2 matching of the interested person of Mauza Kanimahuli, Burudih, Charchakka, Ghasidih and the verification of the land, the verification of the list received with the concerned Revenue Sub-Inspector and Circle Inspector, which can be sent in original with this letter Used to be. (PDF), retrieved 2023-06-21
  12. ^ Jharkhand, Department of Road Construction, Govt of (2023-06-23), English: PROGRESS REPORT OF ROAD CIRCLE CHAIBASA MAY 2023 (PDF), retrieved 2023-07-15{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ a b "धालभूमगढ़ में एयरपोर्ट बनाने को तीन गांवों ने दिया समर्थन". Hindustan (in Hindi). Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  14. ^ Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (31 July 2019). "Name of Project for which Forest Land is required : Development of Dhalbhumgarh Airport".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ a b Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (31 July 2019). "State Serial No. of proposal : JH-055/2019".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ "Form for seeking prior approval of Central Government under section 2 of the Forest(Conservation) Act,1980 for Diversion of fresh forest area". Parivesh Portal. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Real steel: Jamshedpur's little-known war history". Condé Nast Traveller. 28 May 2015. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  18. ^ "State to form JV with AAI for Dhalbhumgarh airport". The Times of India. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  19. ^ "Jamshedpur to Get Its Domestic Airport Soon at Dhalbhumgarh". Infrabuddy.com. 5 June 2017. Archived from the original on 21 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  20. ^ "Domestic airport at Dhalbhumgarh receives a shot in the arm". The Pioneer. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  21. ^ India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of (2019-12-27), English: MINUTES OF THE 47th MEETING OF THE EXPERT APPRAISAL COMMITTEE (INFRASTRUCTURE2) HELD ON 26-27 DECEMBER, 2019 (PDF), retrieved 2023-02-26{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "Green panel defers decision to construct Dhalbhumgarh airport". The Pioneer. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  23. ^ Singhbhum, District Administration, East (2022-08-05), English: Site Inspection Report of Dhalbhumgarh Airport by Conservator of Forest. Territorial Circle, Jamshedpur (PDF), retrieved 2023-02-26{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Singhbhum, District Administration, East (2022-07-25), English: Site Inspection Report of Dhalbhumgarh Airport by DFO, East Singhbhum (PDF), retrieved 2023-02-26{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ "Jamshedpur Airport project: Forest dept denies NOC". The Avenue Mail. 2023-01-15. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  26. ^ "Jharkhand: धालभूमगढ़ एयरपोर्ट प्रोजेक्ट को केंद्र सरकार ने किया निरस्त, राज्य सरकार ने नहीं उपलब्ध कराई जमीन". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  27. ^ "धालभूमगढ़ एयरपोर्ट प्रोजेक्ट बंद होने से निवेशकों को भारी नुकसान, करोड़ों रुपये फंसे". Prabhat Khabar (in Hindi). Retrieved 2023-03-04.
  28. ^ Shashank Shekhar Swain [@SwainShashank] (April 4, 2023). "धालभूमगढ़ एयरपोर्ट पर केंद्र से करेंगे बात : सीएम @HemantSorenJMM . सोमवार को टिनप्लेट कंपनी के विस्तारीकरण प्रोजेक्ट का शिलान्यास करने पहुंचे सीएम ने कहा कि जमशेदपुर में एयरपोर्ट को लेकर राज्य सरकार में चिंतन-मंथन चल रहा है। इस बारे में पत्रकारों ने सवाल पूछा था। (1/2) https://t.co/xwigbdKOR5" [Will talk to Center at Dhalbhumgarh airport: CM @HemantSorenJMM. The CM, who arrived on Monday to lay the foundation stone of the expansion project of the Tinplate Company, said that the state government is deliberating on the airport in Jamshedpur. Journalists asked questions about this. (1/2)] (Tweet) (in Hindi). Retrieved 17 April 2023 – via Twitter.
  29. ^ Ranchi Airport [@aaiRanchiApt] (April 4, 2023). "@SwainShashank @JharkhandVan @KunalSarangi @anniamrita @mamta_ifs @DCEastSinghbhum @JharkhandCMO @HemantSorenJMM @JM_Scindia @Officejmscindia @AAI_Official @DGCAIndia Matter is bring pursued with State Govt of Jharkhand for either to get forest clearance at t earliest or dropping the project" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 April 2023 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Jharkhand, Department of Road Construction, Govt of (2023-06-23), English: PROGRESS REPORT OF ROAD CIRCLE CHAIBASA MAY 2023 (PDF), retrieved 2023-07-15{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "एलिफेंट कॉरिडोर में एयरपोर्ट की मनाही; उसी में बनाया जा रहा जैव विविधता पार्क, मिलेंगी ये सुविधाएं". Hindustan (in Hindi). Retrieved 2023-08-03.
  32. ^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  33. ^ "Dhalbhumgarh Airport Development Moves Forward Amid Land Dispute Resolution". Town Post. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  34. ^ Desk, News (2024-02-22). "Jamshedpur Airport : Gram Sabha scheduled for Dhalbhumgarh Airport land resolution". The Avenue Mail. Retrieved 2024-02-23. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  35. ^ Jharkhand, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (2024-03-20), English: Recommendation Letter by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Jharkhand for the diversion of 99.256 Ha of Forest Land for the development of Dhalbhumgarh Airport (PDF), retrieved 2024-04-18
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