Guwahati, Dec 8: The Assam government has approved the transfer of 3,000 bighas (nearly 992 acres) of land at Doloo Tea Estate in Cachar district to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the construction of a new greenfield airport near Silchar. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision during a press conference following a cabinet meeting on Sunday.

The land allocation marks an increase of 500 bighas from the earlier plan of 2,500 bighas (approximately 826 acres). The project aims to address the limitations of the existing Kumbhirgram airport, a defense facility with no scope for expansion to meet the rising demand for air traffic. This move allows the state government to seek final approval from the Union Cabinet for the airport’s development.

The Doloo Tea Estate site was previously considered for land acquisition amid protests from garden workers. The government assured that no evictions or job losses would occur and stated that financial assistance has already been provided to affected families.

In other cabinet decisions, the state approved land allotment to 1,200 families under the Mission Basundhara scheme and sanctioned a Rs 243 crore joint aerospace and defense education project at Assam Engineering College in collaboration with Dassault Systems India Pvt Ltd.

The state will also set up its second Sainik School at Longvaku in Karbi Anglong district, with an estimated cost of Rs 335 crore, jointly funded by the Ministry of Defence and the Assam government. Compensation was approved for 884 families affected by land acquisition for a four-lane National Highway in Dima Hasao.

Additionally, the Assam Logistics and Warehousing Policy, 2025, was approved to position the state as a key logistics hub. The cabinet also decided to make Assam’s history and geography compulsory subjects for classes 6, 7, and 8, following recommendations from a high-level committee overseeing Assam Accord implementation.