Guwahati: The Centre has formulated a Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008, which prescribes the procedure and conditions for the development of new greenfield airports in the country. Two greenfield airports in North Eastern Region namely, Pakyong and Itanagar (Hollongi) have been constructed under the policy.

There is a two-stage process of approval — site clearance followed by in-principle approval.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has submitted an application under GFA Policy, 2008, to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) for the grant of ‘Site-Clearance’ for the development of a greenfield airport at Doloo T.E., Cachar, Assam. 

As per the policy, the proposal has been sent to the concerned stakeholders, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for their comments. After completion of this consultation with stakeholders, the proposal is required to be placed before the Steering Committee on Greenfield Airports for their recommendation, with respect to the award of Site Clearance.

Under the UDAN Scheme, 10 airports in the North East namely Pasighat, Tezu, Itanagar (Hollongi), Jorhat, Lilabari, Rupsi, Tezpur, Shillong (Barapani), Dimapur and Pakyong have been operationalised/revived.

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