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The Assam government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India to conduct pre-feasibility studies for five potential greenfield airports in the state, officials said in the past week. The agreement was formalised in Dispur, Guwahati, in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and senior AAI officials, and was signed by the state's Transport Commissioner and AAI Chairman. The proposed sites for the new airports include areas near Manas National Park, Umrangshu, Majuli, Diphu and Charaideo. The initiative is intended to strengthen regional air connectivity, improve access to remote and tourism-rich regions and support economic growth in Assam's interior districts. The move also aims to reinforce the state's role as a key gateway to the North East. The studies will inform subsequent detailed project planning and potential infrastructure investment.
The Government of Assam has entered into a strategic partnership with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to undertake pre-feasibility studies for five new greenfield airports across the state, marking a concerted effort to strengthen regional aviation infrastructure and connectivity. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Dispur, Guwahati, in the past week, in an event attended by Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, along with senior civil aviation officials from both the state and AAI. Advertisement
Under the terms of the MoU, AAI will carry out comprehensive pre-feasibility assessments covering technical, operational, environmental and economic viability for each proposed airport site. The exercise is expected to lay the groundwork for detailed project reports (DPRs) and subsequent investment decisions.
Five locations identified for the greenfield airports reflect a mix of tourism, strategic and regional accessibility priorities. These include areas near Manas National Park, which has internationally recognised wildlife attractions; Umrangshu in the hill regions; Majuli, the world's largest river island with cultural significance; Diphu in Karbi Anglong district; and Charaideo, known for its historical heritage. The selection of these sites aims to unlock latent economic potential, bolster local tourism and improve connectivity in Assam's more remote and culturally significant regions.
Assam's existing airport network includes established gateways such as Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati and domestic airports in cities like Jorhat, Tezpur, Dibrugarh and Silchar, which are operated by AAI and serve as key nodes in the North East aviation network. The proposed greenfield airports are envisaged to complement these assets by connecting underserved districts and boosting intra-state and regional air connectivity.
Chief Minister Sarma underscored the potential of the initiative to enhance socio-economic outcomes, noting that improved air access can accelerate tourism, facilitate business travel and open up new commercial opportunities across Assam. He also highlighted the broader strategic value of enhanced aviation infrastructure for the North East, a region where transport connectivity remains a key focus for national and state policymakers.
The pre-feasibility studies are expected to provide the evidence base needed to progress towards full project planning and investment approvals, potentially positioning Assam as a model for regional airport expansion in India.
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