The regional airports/airstrips can play a vital role in enhancing air connectivity and in turn boost up the economy. A quite few number of airstrips from the British days are lying unused in different parts of Assam, particularly in the upper Assam districts and the possibility of using the same for improving connectivity is being explored. However, for that, the Ministry of Civil Aviation will have to play a major role, while, private entrepreneurs would also have to come forward in this regard says Raju Ranjan Gogoi- An Aviation entrepreneur from North EastIndia.
Thanks to civil aviation ministry for implementing that nation’s first civil aviation policy which emphasis on regional connectivity with stressed on North East region. The idea of making use of the abandoned airstrips cropped up during a meeting between Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju . The civil Aviation minister has assured every possible assistance to state govt to develop the airstrips and enhance connectivity with South Asean countries in line with Act East policy. However, the concept is in the preliminary stage only.
As per Raju Ranjan Gogoi a number of abandoned airstrips could be utilised in the days to come to improve connectivity not only in Assam but also in other parts of the region. He said that though the exact number of such abandoned airstrips is not immediately available, it is a fact that a number of airstrips constructed by the British during the World War II are lying abandoned and in fact, the Government organized the Dihing-Patkai festival on one such abandoned airstrip near Margherita. He pointed out that several other airstrips including the Rupshi airport in Dhubri district , are lying unused for years and the possibility of making use of those could be explored.
Raju Ranjan Gogoi being an aviation enthusiast personally visited and explored few number of airstrips/helipads available in private tea gardens of Assam , this airstrips are utilized by the tea owners/officials for their personal use. According to records available with the Government, at least 18 airstrips are in possession of the tea gardens and companies including Williamson Magor and around 10 of those are in usable condition. He said that of the tea companies having airstrips, only Wialliam Magor is using those for visits of senior officials. Behora Airstrip (Golaghat district) is completely in use at present Revival of Margherita Airstrip can be major boost to the region, remember the coal field of borgolai, ledo , digboi oil refinery (IOC) and the tea gardens are the major source of revenues for the authorities if at all airstrip revived.
Revival of Rupsi airport can be a major boost for the people of Kokrajhar and Dhubri as presently they need to travel to Guwahati to board their flight onwards. If the dialogues can be established between Magor tea company and the state govt, the Behora airstrip can e utilized for tourism purpose as its just 20 ms away from kaziranga national park. The major source of revenue for the authorities will come from tourist, numaligarh refinery etc.
There need a joint collaboration between State Government and Centre to making use of this abandoned airstrips for improving connectivity and the Ministry of Civil Aviation would have to deal with the matter with support from the private entrepreneurs would also have to come forward for operating small aircrafts by using the abandoned airstrips.
Raju Ranjan Gogoi in his start up entity Radiant NE Aviation & Travel support working closely with the small aircraft operators based in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai , making them aware of these airstrips potentials. He is also meeting officials, authorities of the region and stressed on marketing the potential of these airstrips, upgrade the infrastructure and to form a aviation management body under the state govt. Most of the state govts have their directorate of civil aviation under civil aviation ministry, those who don’t have separate civil aviation ministry works under tourism ministry. Assam should have a separate body/directorate of civil aviation who can dedicatedly look after the aviation projects.
New Delhi: Senior journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty has created history by becoming the first woman to be elected President of the Press Club of India (PCI), marking a significant milestone in the institution’s long-standing legacy. Her election is being widely hailed as a landmark moment for gender representation and leadership in Indian journalism.
A respected name in the profession, Pisharoty is known for her incisive reporting, editorial leadership and long-standing commitment to press freedom, ethical journalism and the welfare of media professionals. Over the years, she has earned wide credibility for her work on politics, governance and social issues.
The Press Club of...
A two-day ‘People’s Consultation on Strengthening Humanitarian Response and Climate Resilience in the Brahmaputra Basin’ concluded today at Hotel Clubway Grand, Jorhat, with the adoption of the People’s Declaration for a Resilient Brahmaputra Basin. The event was organised by the North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) in collaboration with the Inter Agency Group (IAG) of Assam and various local humanitarian civil society actors from across the Brahmaputra valley, with support from Start Network.
The consultation brought together humanitarian practitioners, climate workers, community leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups and women’s collectives to deliberate on...
Guwahati: Curtains came down on the 9th Chalachitram National Film Festival at the Jyoti Chitraban premises in Kahilipara on 30 November 2025, as distinguished guests at the closing ceremony handed over awards, certificates, and cash prizes to the winning filmmakers in the presence of eminent film personalities, emerging director-producers and cine-goers. Organized by Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra-Assam, the two-day CNFF-25 showcased over 30 short features and documentaries across competitive and screening categories. ‘Koli’, directed by Jyotirmoy Mazumder, was adjudged the best short feature in the Northeast India category, while ‘Joba’, directed by Indira Baikerikar,...
The North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) on Friday hosted the IIC Regional Meet 2025, drawing more than 500 participants from higher educational institutions across the Northeast. The day-long programme, organised under the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), was held at the Multi-Convention Hall on the NEHU campus.
The event commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by an introductory address by Prof. Dinesh Bhatia, SPOC of the Regional Meet. Prof. G. Bez, Chairperson of the Meet, delivered the welcome speech, while Prof. I. Hussain, Dean of the School of Technology, NEHU, offered brief remarks....
Guwahati: Tirtha Prasad Saikia, Director of the North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) — a local organization and an Indigenous Peoples’ Organization member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) based in Assam — has been elected to the Executive Body of the India National Committee (INC) of IUCN, representing the North-East India region.
NEADS works at the intersection of humanitarian response, resilience building, climate action and environmental sustainability, adopting a nexus approach to address the human dimensions of environmental crises arising from both natural and human-induced disasters. The organization emphasizes community well-being...
Guwahati: The Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival (PLF) 2025 concluded this evening at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, wrapping up three days of rich literary discussions, cultural insights, and powerful storytelling. Organized by the Sankardeva Education and Research Foundation, the festival began on 14 November with acclaimed author Shefali Baidya delivering the keynote address.
On the final day, the organizers announced the recipients of this year’s prestigious PLF awards. Eminent researcher and author Moneswar Deori was named the recipient of the PLF 2025 Award, while promising young writer Srotashwini Tamuli, a researcher at Birangana Sati Sadhani State University, was declared the...
As the world gathers in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-30), the North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) from Assam has stepped onto the global stage to ensure the voices of the region’s flood-affected and climate-vulnerable communities are heard.
Representing NEADS as an Observer of the Start Network, Tirtha Prasad Saikia, the organisation’s Director, said the participation marks a crucial moment for the North-East, one of India’s most climate-sensitive regions.
“We are here because climate change is not a distant issue for us — it’s our everyday reality,” said Saikia. “Assam’s communities have been battling floods, erosion,...
“Zubeen Garg was not just a singer — he was a phenomenon. A god in human form for millions,” said Manoj Kumar Das, management professional and commentator from Assam, in a heartfelt conversation reflecting on the life and legacy of the late music legend.
Das, who had known Zubeen for more than two decades, recalled his early memories vividly. “He was just a simple, soft-spoken boy when I first met him — full of restless energy, always humming tunes. He could pick up any instrument, any rhythm, and turn it into something magical. But what stood out most was his humility. Despite his fame, Zubeen never carried an ego. He could be sitting on the ground with villagers one day and on stage...
Along with the rest of Assam, the people of Nazira observed Kati Bihu today with devotion and traditional fervor. The festival, which marks a crucial phase in the agricultural calendar, was celebrated with prayers for a prosperous harvest and protection from natural calamities.
As the sun set, households across Nazira lit earthen lamps (chakis) before Tulsi plants and in the paddy fields, symbolizing hope and reverence for nature’s bounty. The flickering lights illuminated the night, reflecting the community’s collective faith in a good harvest season.
Also known as Kongali Bihu, Kati Bihu is a more solemn and reflective celebration compared to other Bihus, emphasizing austerity,...
Students from the North-East (excluding Assam) showcased their passion and knowledge for wildlife conservation at the Wild Wisdom Global Challenge (WWGC) 2025, WWF-India’s flagship wildlife quiz that has been inspiring young minds since 2008.
This year’s 18th edition, themed “Incredible Insects”, explored the fascinating world of insects – from butterflies and moths to bees, grasshoppers, mantises, and dragonflies. The challenge, designed for students in grades 6 to 9, combined interactive learning through webinars, informative resources, and a new BioBlitz initiative, encouraging children to connect with nature and understand their role in conserving biodiversity.
Over 400,000...
Thanks to civil aviation ministry for implementing that nation’s first civil aviation policy which emphasis on regional connectivity with stressed on North East region. The idea of making use of the abandoned airstrips cropped up during a meeting between Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju . The civil Aviation minister has assured every possible assistance to state govt to develop the airstrips and enhance connectivity with South Asean countries in line with Act East policy. However, the concept is in the preliminary stage only.
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