#Assam | Rupsi Airport, once a pivotal military airfield during World War II, is now poised for yet another transformation that could redefine its role in Assam’s aviation and trade landscape. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during a Facebook Live interaction on Sunday, announced that the state government is considering plans to develop the historic airport into a major logistics hub for western Assam.
Constructed by the British in the 1940s, Rupsi Airport was spread across nearly 2,500 bighas of land and featured a 6,000-foot runway, a terminal building, parking facilities, and 52 aircraft hangars. It played a crucial role in the Allied war effort, facilitating the movement of troops and supplies. After Independence, the airport transitioned into civilian use, with Dakota aircraft connecting Rupsi to Kolkata via Cooch Behar and Siliguri in the 1960s. Later, Air Doot briefly operated flights to Guwahati in 1980, but the service was discontinued, leaving the airport dormant for decades.
Revival efforts began under the UDAN-2 regional connectivity scheme, with the Centre sanctioning Rs 40 crore for runway reconstruction and boundary wall construction, followed by Rs 69 crore for modern infrastructure including a passenger terminal, ATC tower, and security quarters. These investments restored commercial flight operations, breathing new life into one of Northeast India’s oldest airports.
Now, the government’s vision extends beyond passenger services. With its strategic location near the India-Bangladesh border and proximity to key trade corridors, Rupsi could evolve into a dedicated logistics hub. Such a facility would enable the transport of agricultural produce, fishery and horticultural goods, industrial commodities, and e-commerce consignments, benefiting districts like Dhubri, Kokrajhar, South Salmara-Mankachar, and Goalpara, as well as neighbouring regions of Meghalaya and North Bengal.
The airport’s geographical advantage also positions it as a potential gateway for regional and international trade, linking Northeast India with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. This aligns with India’s Act East Policy and could strengthen economic integration across the region.
From its wartime origins to its revival under UDAN, Rupsi Airport has continually reinvented itself. If the proposed logistics hub materialises, it will mark another historic chapter—transforming the airfield into a driver of economic growth, trade, and regional development for western Assam and beyond.
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