West Bengal to construct second airport near Kolkata

Dhaka: In an effort to decongest Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Dumdum, the government of West Bengal is going to construct a second airport near Kolkata, a senior official said on January 21.

The government is already searching for land in the neighbouring South 24 Parganas district, the official added. He also mentioned, Bhangar is among the possible locations.

According to reports, Chief Secretary H K Dwivedi has instructed South 24 Parganas District Magistrate P Ulganathan to select land for the proposed airport.

The new airport will also have international facilities, the official claimed.

“There is a lot of pressure on Dumdum airport in North 24 Parganas district. We have felt the need to construct a new airport in the vicinity of Kolkata. The best possible place will be in South 24 Parganas. This will probably be the second biggest airport in the state,” the officer said.

“Ulganathan has been asked to find land where an airport with a “three-km-long runway could be built,” he noted.

“We need to build another airport of international standards with facilities akin to NSCBIA. Bhangar has open spaces. The possibility of building the proposed airport will be better there. We need to construct a hangar and runway that can accommodate bigger airplanes such as Boeing 777. The search for land is on,” the official explained.

On the other hand, Bagdogra airport in Siliguri serves the north Bengal districts. It is another big airport in the state, yet smaller than NSCBIA.

Also, to reduce pressure on Bagdogra airport, the state government is going to revamp Balurghat, Coochbehar and Malda airports, mentioned the IAS official, adding, a central team has already conducted a survey of those three airports.

Another airport in Chharrah of Purulia district is being planned to be established, he further noted. “However, it is in a very early stage. Once built, the airport will bring development to the region,” the official added.