Airport at Dolu TE: Debabrata Saikia seeks clarifications from AAI, PCB

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia has sought certain important clarifications from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Pollution Control Board, Assam (PCB) regarding setting up of a Greenfield airport at the Dolu Tea Estate in the Cachar district.

Saikia wrote separate letters in this connection recently to the Regional Executive Director (North-East Region) of the AAI as well as the Member Secretary of the PCB.

Saikia has requested the AAI to clarify whether its officials visited various sites in the Cachar district in consultation with the district administration for site selection and, if so, the names of the sites. Saikia has also sought a copy of the letter whereby the AAI decided in principle on the suitability of Dolu Tea Estate as the site for the Greenfield airport.

The Leader of the Opposition also sought information as to whether the State Government or the Revenue Department of the Cachar district has communicated to the AAI in writing about the site which has been made available as per the AAI's request/recommendation. Lastly, Saikia has sought to know whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has been prepared or any consultant has been appointed by the AAI for submission of an EIA proposal to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

On the other hand, Saikia has asked the PCB, Assam whether it has received any Detailed Project Report (DPR) from any contractor/organization for consideration of EIA approval to set up the airport at Dolu Tea Estate, as mandated by Central Government guidelines.

Further, Saikia has desired to know if, after receiving such as proposal, the PCB issued a notification in the local language in two newspapers regarding a public hearing of the matter, mentioning the time, date etc. of the hearing. He also wanted to know if the project details were made available to the PCB for intimation to the public before the public hearing. Mentioning separate relevant judgments of the Gujarat High Court and the Delhi High Court, Saikia has asked the PCB to clarify whether it has already accorded EIA clearance, as required by law, for setting up of the Greenfield airport at Dolu Tea Estate.

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