Ranchi: The long-pending Dhalbhumgarh Airport project in Jharkhand’s Kolhan region has received fresh momentum, with the state Civil Aviation Department stepping up coordination with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Forest Department and Central Government.
As part of efforts to move the project forward, a proposal has been prepared and sent to the Centre for developing the airport over around 540 acres of land. The proposed area is significantly larger than the earlier plan, which envisaged development over around 240 acres.
Dhalbhumgarh Airport Proposal Expanded to 540 Acres
The state government has expanded the proposed land area after considering the airport’s future requirements.
Key developments include:
- Around 540 acres have been proposed for the airport project.
- The earlier proposal covered around 240 acres.
- The state Civil Aviation Department is coordinating with AAI on technical and administrative requirements.
- AAI and Ranchi ATC officials have inspected the proposed site.
- Land, forest and environmental issues are being processed alongside the approval process.
The state department is working to coordinate different procedures simultaneously so that pending requirements can move forward together.
19-Point Compliance Report Submitted to Centre
Forest land and the presence of an elephant corridor are among the key issues associated with the Dhalbhumgarh Airport project.
The state government has submitted responses to 19 points raised by the Central Government in connection with the project.
The state has also completed the demarcation of forest and non-forest land and submitted the relevant No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
The next phase of the project will depend on the necessary approvals from the Central Government.
Elephant Corridor to Be Surveyed Again
Environmental and wildlife considerations remain important because the proposed Dhalbhumgarh site falls in an area associated with an elephant corridor.
The state government has initiated steps for a fresh survey of the corridor, taking into account the natural movement of elephants.
Any airport development in the area will have to comply with applicable central forest and wildlife requirements.
Recent reporting has also indicated that forest clearance remains a key requirement before construction can proceed.
AAI Coordinates on Technical Requirements
The Jharkhand Civil Aviation Department is the nodal department for the project at the state level.
It is coordinating with AAI on several aspects, including:
- Technical requirements of the proposed airport.
- Availability and status of land.
- Airport-related infrastructure.
- Forest and environmental clearances.
- Approvals and NOCs from various departments.
- Other administrative requirements.
AAI and Ranchi ATC officials have already inspected the proposed site as part of the assessment process.
Jharkhand Also Plans Greenfield Airport in Sahibganj
Alongside Dhalbhumgarh, the state government is also working on a proposal for a greenfield airport in Sahibganj.
The Civil Aviation Department is coordinating with the concerned departments to take the proposal forward.
A Sahibganj airport could provide improved air connectivity to the Santhal Pargana region, subject to the completion of the required planning, land and approval processes.
Several Jharkhand Cities Under Regional Air Connectivity Plans
The state’s aviation plans also cover several other cities and locations under the Modified UDAN framework.
The locations being considered for development and connectivity include:
- Dhalbhumgarh
- Dumka
- Hazaribagh
- Daltonganj
- Chaibasa
- Bokaro
- Deoghar
- Jamshedpur
The status varies across these locations, with some having airport or airstrip infrastructure already developed while land, site assessment and operational processes continue at others.
Modified UDAN Has ₹28,840 Crore Outlay
The Centre approved the Modified UDAN scheme in March 2026 for a 10-year period from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36, with a total outlay of ₹28,840 crore.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the scheme envisages the development of 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips and aims to strengthen regional air connectivity across the country.
The scheme also provides for:
- Development of 100 airports.
- Support for approximately 441 aerodromes through operations and maintenance measures.
- Development of 200 modern helipads.
- Viability Gap Funding support for airline operators.
- Improved connectivity to underserved and unserved regions.
For Dhalbhumgarh, the immediate focus remains on completing the required land, forest and environmental processes and securing the necessary Central approvals before the project can move to subsequent stages.
