Dhalbhumgarh Airport Faces 150-km Rule Hurdle

Under the Greenfield Airport Policy, 2008, a minimum aerial separation of 150 km between two airports is mandatory. Technical assessments indicate that the aerial distance between Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi and the proposed Dhalbhumgarh airport is around 130–135 km, falling short of the prescribed limit. This gap is now being seen as a major obstacle. By comparison, the aerial distance between Ranchi and Deoghar airport exceeds 150 km, which is why the rule did not restrict development there. In the case of Jamshedpur and Dhalbhumgarh, however, the same criterion has become the principal regulatory barrier. Aviation experts say a special exemption would only be possible if the Centre is convinced that the new airport would not adversely affect passenger traffic or the commercial viability of Ranchi airport.

The Dhalbhumgarh project has faced setbacks since its inception. In 2019, the foundation stone was laid by former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and former Union Minister Jayant Sinha. An MoU was signed between the Airports Authority of India and the Jharkhand government, with an estimated investment of about Rs 1 billion. Soon after, however, the Ministry of Environment and Forests raised objections, noting that the proposed site falls within an elephant corridor. The Forest Department warned that airport construction could disrupt wildlife movement and threaten elephant habitats, leading the project to remain stalled in official files for nearly six years.

Despite being home to one of India’s major industrial centres, Jamshedpur still does not have a fully developed airport. Sonari Airport handles only limited operations and cannot accommodate large aircraft. The Dhalbhumgarh airport was intended to address this gap, but successive environmental objections and now the 150-km distance rule have repeatedly delayed progress. Aviation analysts believe that only sustained and coordinated efforts by the state government, local representatives and Members of Parliament can help secure a policy exemption. Until then, Kolhan’s long-standing aspiration for improved air connectivity remains grounded by regulatory and technical constraints.