2 hrs ago
Bengal to Get Four Airports as Centre Promises Connectivity Support
West Bengal and the central government signed an agreement to build four airports.
They are planned for Hasimara, Kalaikunda, Balurghat and Chharra.
The aviation minister said the projects are expected to happen over the next two years.
He also said several existing airports in the state would be improved.
A new terminal at Bagdogra is expected to open next year.
The chief minister asked for more international flights from Kolkata, including flights to Europe.
He said the state had identified land at Kalyani for another airport to support Kolkata’s main airport.
The minister said the Centre would meet companies to discuss the possibility of direct international flights.
An agreement under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme provides for four new airports in West Bengal over the next two years.
The proposed airports are in Hasimara, Kalaikunda, Balurghat and Chharra.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the Centre would support airport development and called on the state to adopt a civil aviation policy.
Naidu said existing airports in Kolkata, Durgapur, Bagdogra and Cooch Behar would be strengthened, and a new Bagdogra terminal is expected to open next year.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari sought direct international flights from Kolkata, including to Europe, and identified 2,000 acres at Kalyani for an alternate airport.
- Who
- Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
- What
- They signed an agreement under UDAN for four new airports and discussed broader aviation development and connectivity.
- Where
- West Bengal, with proposed airports at Hasimara, Kalaikunda, Balurghat and Chharra.
- When
- The agreement was announced on Monday, October 5; the new airports are planned over the next two years.
- Why
- To expand aviation infrastructure and connectivity in West Bengal, including international links from Kolkata.
Key facts
- Scheme
- UDAN regional connectivity scheme
- Planned airports
- Hasimara, Kalaikunda, Balurghat and Chharra
- Expected timeline
- Over the next two years
- Existing airstrips
- Hasimara and Kalaikunda have existing 2,700-metre airstrips, according to Naidu.
- Bagdogra terminal
- A new terminal is expected to open next year.
- Kalyani land
- Adhikari said the state had identified 2,000 acres for a subsidiary alternate airport to Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.
- International connectivity
- Adhikari requested direct international flights, particularly to Europe; Naidu said the Centre would meet companies to explore the possibility.
Quotes
K Rammohan Naidu
Union Civil Aviation Minister
“Even though the central government asked for land, the previous government did not provide it. The signing of this agreement was stalled for so long because of this negative attitude.”
theprint.in
“I assure the people of Bengal that in the next two years, we will double the four airports and make it eight.”
theprint.in
Sources
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