Jamshedpur: A major breakthrough has been achieved in addressing public concerns regarding the Sonari Airport expansion project. On Tuesday, Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Rai held detailed discussions with officials from Tata Steel Land Department and TUISL, addressing issues raised by local residents.
Rai mentioned that he personally visited the Sonari and Kadma areas on Monday to assess the potential impact of the expansion work. Locals had expressed apprehensions that the project might affect the church, playground, and the main road connecting Sonari to Circuit House–Bistupur.
Tata Steel management clarified that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had warned that the airport’s license could be revoked if the runway was not extended toward Sonari. In response, a revised plan has been proposed to meet DGCA requirements while minimizing public inconvenience.
According to the new design, the church remains outside the project boundary, and only a small portion of the playground will be affected. The affected area will be compensated by using adjacent open land, ensuring the overall size of the playground is maintained. The Sonari–Circuit House–Bistupur road will undergo minor curve adjustments to maintain smooth traffic flow.
Rai confirmed that he has shared details of the revised plan with local representatives and Congress leader Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu, expressing confidence that public concerns will subside and the runway expansion will proceed in line with DGCA guidelines.
