No Environmental Clearance, No Greenfield Airport In Cachar

In a landmark decision that has reverberated across Barak Valley, the Supreme Court has issued a scathing indictment against authorities overseeing the construction of the Doloo Greenfield Airport project in Cachar. This significant development has sparked widespread concern among residents of Cachar district and the broader Barak Valley region.

The project, which aims to establish a commercial airport, has been embroiled in controversy due to its progression without obtaining essential environmental clearances. The Supreme Court’s intervention sheds light on the severe violations, including the unauthorized clearance of land without prior approval. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the uprooting of approximately 41 lakh tea bushes and the indiscriminate felling of numerous shade trees.

Chief Justice Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, expressed profound disappointment at the disregard for environmental regulations by the authorities involved. Furthermore, the Court has directed an immediate cessation of all construction activities at the site until requisite environmental clearances are obtained.

The gravity of this legal battle cannot be overstated, as it resonates deeply with the residents of Barak Valley. It highlights the critical importance of accountability and adherence to environmental protocols in all phases of developmental projects. The preservation of natural resources and the protection of the environment are paramount considerations that must not be compromised for expediency.

It should be noted that the establishment of this Greenfield Airport at the Doloo Tea Estate through the use of uprooting the already existing tea plantations had received heavy criticism from the political front. While many people as well as political figures are in support of this project and consider it as a symbol of development for the area, others see it through a negative shade.

Not long ago, Supreme Court passed an order asking the status quo at the location for the airport to be maintained. Following this, Rajya Sabha MP and the former MP of Silchar Sushmita Dev stated that while she and her political party seeks for development in the area and supports the establishment of this airport, they are having conflicting opinions regarding the technique adopted by the BJP government for the land acquisition. She remarked it as illegal.

She believes that BJP doesn’t want development, if they did they would have followed the law by the book while trying to build this project. She blamed BJP’s unlawful way of handling the project has brought doom to this project. Emphasising that the BJP never had the intention to have the airport in Cachar at all. She claimed it to be a conspiracy to delay the project.

Now, the recent order from Supreme Court puts an abrupt halt to the project until the necessary environmental clearances are obtained. Once the project complies with the required environmental regulations, it could potentially resume.