Vote-bank politics delaying Dhalbhumgarh airport: Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahato

JAMSHEDPUR: The state government, led by Hemant Soren, is launching development projects in Santhal Pargana of the state, but ignoring Kolhan, alleged Jamshedpur BJP MP Bidyut Baran Mahato.
Mahato on Friday said that Soren is taking all efforts to upgrade the private airport at Dumka, but is neglecting the proposed airport at Dhalbhumgarh, foundation stone for which was laid when Raghubar Das government was in power before November 2019.
The work of the airport construction came to a grinding halt in early 2020, when it was pointed out that the proposed project was falling within the elephant corridor. Later, it was found that the project was not in the elephant corridor, which was actually 55km away from the site, said the MP.
Recently during the Budget session, the MP on the floor of the Lok Sabha had raised the issue of Dhalbhumgarh airport and sought a clarification from the present Jharkhand government why it was delaying in giving a NOC required for resumption of work. He said the Centre had already sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the work and aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had personally assured him that funds won't be a hindrance behind the construction of the Dhalbhumgarh airport.
He said instead of going ahead with Dhalbhumgarh airport, Soren is toiling hard for an airport in Dumka, which is only around 67 km from the already operational commercial airport in Deoghar. He said Kolhan, which includes East Singhbhum, has mixed population and tribal vote bank of JMM is less in comparison to Santhal Pargana, so all focus is there. His ongoing Khatiyani Yatra is also aimed at getting maximum tribal community votes. Bidyut alleged that Dhalbhumgarh airport is being neglected by Soren, as it was launched by then Raghubar Das government.