Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Bengal Identifies Kalyani Sites for Long-Delayed Second Airport
The Bengal government wants to build a second airport near Calcutta.
It has found two possible land areas in Kalyani.
Each area is between 300 and 400 acres wide.
Experts will decide which area is better for the airport.
The government wants about 2,000 acres in total.
It says it will buy the remaining land from local owners.
The new airport is needed because the current airport may become too crowded.
Earlier plans at Andal and Bhangar did not succeed.
The Bengal government has identified two government-owned land parcels in Kalyani, each measuring 300 to 400 acres.
The state plans to assemble about 2,000 contiguous acres and buy the remaining 1,600 acres from landowners.
An expert agency such as RITES will assess which parcel is suitable for the greenfield airport.
The project is intended to ease pressure on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport, which handles 24 million passengers against a 28-million capacity.
Earlier proposals involving Andal and Bhangar failed because of Centre objections and local resistance, respectively.
- Who
- The Bengal state government, with an expert agency such as RITES expected to assess the sites.
- What
- A plan to identify land and acquire about 1,600 additional acres for Calcutta’s proposed second airport.
- When
- The project has been pending for almost 10 years; passenger demand is projected to reach 45 million to 50 million by 2035.
- Where
- Kalyani, about 60 kilometres from the existing airport in Dum Dum.
- Why
- The existing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport is operating near its stated annual capacity, and the Centre has urged construction of a second airport.
Current Government’s Approach
Previous Government’s Approach
Land acquisition
Current Government’s Approach
The current government says it is prepared to buy the remaining land directly from landowners to assemble the airport site.
Previous Government’s Approach
The previous government was described as reluctant to acquire land and faced resistance when attempting to find land near Bhangar.
Airport location
Current Government’s Approach
Officials say Kalyani is suitable because it is about 60 kilometres from the existing airport and can be connected for passenger access.
Previous Government’s Approach
The previous government proposed Andal, but the Centre rejected it because it was 185 kilometres from the existing airport and would be inconvenient for passengers.
Project urgency
Current Government’s Approach
The current government and officials argue that a second airport is needed because the existing airport is nearing capacity and demand may rise sharply by 2035.
Previous Government’s Approach
The previous government proposed a high-speed rail link between the existing airport and Andal, but the Centre rejected that arrangement.
- Proposed location
- Kalyani
- Land parcels identified
- Two government-vested parcels, each measuring 300 to 400 acres
- Planned total land
- About 2,000 contiguous acres
- Additional land to acquire
- Approximately 1,600 acres
- Current airport
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport
- Current passenger traffic and capacity
- 24 million passengers annually against a stated capacity of 28 million
- Projected passenger load
- 45 million to 50 million by 2035
- Distance from existing airport
- Kalyani is about 60 kilometres away