The historic Rupsi Airport in Assam, originally built as a strategic military airfield during World War II, is set to play a new role in the state’s economic development, with the Assam government proposing its transformation into a major logistics and cargo hub.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the proposal during a Facebook Live session on Sunday, stating that the airport’s strategic location near the India-Bangladesh border and key trade corridors makes it well-suited to become a vital logistics gateway for western Assam and the wider Northeast.
Constructed by the British during the Second World War, Rupsi Airport was spread across nearly 2,500 bighas and featured a 6,000-foot runway, terminal building, parking facilities, and 52 aircraft hangars. The airport played a critical role in supporting military operations by facilitating the movement of troops, equipment, and supplies.
Following Independence, the airport came under Assam’s undivided Goalpara district before becoming part of Dhubri district and is now located within the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). During the 1960s, Dakota aircraft connected Rupsi with Kolkata via Cooch Behar and Siliguri, while Air Doot operated flights between Rupsi and Guwahati’s Borjhar Airport in 1980. However, services were discontinued in 1981, leaving the airport inactive for several decades.
The airport was revived under the Government of India’s UDAN-2 Regional Connectivity Scheme. The first phase of redevelopment involved an investment of Rs 40 crore for runway reconstruction and construction of a boundary wall. The second phase, launched on February 22, 2019, saw an additional investment of Rs 69 crore for the development of a modern passenger terminal, Air Traffic Control tower, security quarters, and other supporting infrastructure. The redevelopment enabled the resumption of commercial flight operations after a prolonged period of inactivity.
Building on this revival, the state government now plans to develop Rupsi into a dedicated logistics and cargo hub. The proposed facility is expected to strengthen the movement of agricultural produce, fisheries, horticultural products, industrial goods, and e-commerce shipments across the region.
The logistics hub is expected to serve districts including Dhubri, Kokrajhar, South Salmara-Mankachar, and Goalpara, while also extending its benefits to neighbouring areas of Meghalaya and North Bengal. By improving cargo connectivity and supply chain efficiency, the project is expected to enhance regional trade, generate employment, and support economic growth across western Assam.
If implemented, the redevelopment of Rupsi Airport into a logistics hub would mark a significant milestone in Assam’s efforts to strengthen multimodal connectivity and position the Northeast as an important gateway for domestic and cross-border trade.
