Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met with Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on 2 July 2026 to advance the state's ambition of becoming a major aviation and logistics hub, reviewing proposals for six greenfield airports and a heliport across Assam.

Context

In a post on X, CM Sarma described the meeting as 'very productive,' noting that the Union Minister 'enthusiastically shares our vision to transform Assam into a key aviation and logistics hub.' The two leaders reviewed the status of proposed greenfield airports at Silchar, Manas, Umrangso, Majuli, Diphu and Charaideo, along with a heliport at Haflong. The ongoing expansion plan of Rupsi Airport in western Assam was also on the agenda.

On the Silchar airport — the most advanced of the six proposals — Sarma said preparatory work has been largely completed and he has formally requested the Ministry to expedite the approval process. For the remaining five sites, both sides agreed to accelerate ongoing pre-feasibility studies.

Policy Backdrop

The push for expanded aviation infrastructure in Assam sits within two overlapping national frameworks. The central government's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, launched in 2016, provides viability gap funding to open regional air routes, with the Northeast identified as a priority zone from the outset. Separately, the Act East Policy has framed connectivity investment in Assam and neighbouring states as strategic to India's integration with Southeast Asia.

Discussions between the Assam government and the Ministry of Civil Aviation on greenfield airports and heliport networks in remote districts have been ongoing since at least 2021. The phased approach — completing pre-feasibility studies before committing capital — reflects the fiscal and terrain complexities involved in building airports in hilly and flood-prone terrain.

Stakeholders and Impact

The seven proposed facilities span geographically and economically distinct parts of Assam. Majuli, the world's largest river island, and Haflong, a hill-station district headquarters, currently lack direct air access, making the proposals significant for local communities and tourism. Diphu and Umrangso serve the Karbi Anglong region, while Charaideo is in Upper Assam's tea-belt heartland.

Improved connectivity is expected to benefit Assam's residents, the tourism sector and logistics operators looking to use the state as a transit corridor. The aviation expansion also aligns with the state government's broader economic diversification goals beyond agriculture and hydrocarbons.

What's Next

The immediate milestones to watch are the completion of pre-feasibility studies for the five sites beyond Silchar and any formal Ministry clearance that would move the Silchar greenfield airport into the land-acquisition or tendering stage. Inclusion of new Assam routes in a future UDAN bidding round and budget allocations from the Ministry of Civil Aviation will be key indicators of how quickly the broader plan advances. CM Sarma framed the moment as 'an exciting time for the aviation sector in Assam,' signalling that the state intends to keep the pressure on the Centre for faster approvals.