Archive · 11 Jan 2026
BJP Chief Discusses Cooch Behar Airport Expansion
The BJP state president, Samik Bhattacharya, visited Cooch Behar airport to talk about making it bigger and bringing back the small planes that used to fly from there.
Right now, the airport can't handle bigger planes because its runway is too short.
There are also some problems like a railway line nearby that make it hard to expand.
The government is thinking about building a bridge over a river to help with the expansion.
People in the area really care about the airport because it was built by their old royal family, and they want to have regular flights again.
The BJP leader said that all governments want the airport to stay open, but they need to work together to make it happen.
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya visited Cooch Behar airport to discuss expansion and resumption of aircraft services.
The 9-seater aircraft service has been temporarily suspended, causing concern among local residents.
The airport is not currently equipped to handle 42-seater aircraft due to runway limitations.
Expansion plans face obstacles due to the presence of a railway line and other infrastructure.
A proposed solution involves constructing a culvert over the Mora Torsa to facilitate runway expansion.
- Who
- Samik Bhattacharya, BJP state president
- What
- Discussions on airport expansion and resumption of aircraft services
- When
- Saturday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Cooch Behar airport, West Bengal
- Why
- To ensure long-term viability and regular air services for the region
- Location
- Cooch Behar, West Bengal
- Current Aircraft Service
- Temporarily suspended
- Airport History
- Built by the Cooch Behar royal family
- Current Aircraft Capacity
- 9-seater
- Proposed Aircraft Capacity
- 42-seater
- Key Obstacle
- Presence of a railway line and other infrastructure
- Proposed Solution
- Construct a culvert over the Mora Torsa
- Government Involvement
- Union government working on the model