Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone for development and construction of Rupsi Airport under Parbhatjhora subdivision in Kokrajhar district of Assam on Friday.
Union minister of commerce and civil aviation Suresh Prabhu addressed the function through video link.
The chief of Bodoland Territorial Council Hagrama Mohilary, minister Chandan Brahma, Regional Director, NER, Airport Authority of India, Engineering, NER, AAI, MLAs Ashini Ray Sarkar, Majendra Narzary, Nijanur Rahman were also present.
The Rupsi Airport is getting a new look as AAI and Civil Aviation departments have taken special interest for the development of the Airport. The airport is going to have air communication with rest of the country as well neighbouring countries in coming days.
The project will be constructed at an estimate cost of Rs 69 crore and to be completed by September next.
According to official records, the Rupsi Airport is located at about 70 km from BTC headquarter Kokajhar and 15 km from Assam’s Dhubri town. The airstrip has remained defunct since 1980.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) had begun work to revive the airfield. Civil operations to the airport will begin under the Government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme.
The Airport constructed at the time of World War II during the British reign is considered to be of utmost importance for western Assam as there are no air bases located in the area.
The Airport which has a single terminal spread across 3,500 square meters has a runway of 6,000 feet and is currently covered by dense jungle.