kolkata

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu was present at Nabanna on Monday. He said the Centre has plans to develop several airports in West Bengal and that eight airports are expected to be operational in the state within the next two years. According to the Union Minister, the central government will extend full cooperation to the state in implementing the airport development programme.

The Union Minister also assured that the Centre would work closely with the state government to resolve issues related to land and improve airport infrastructure. He said airport development would be carried out through close coordination between the Centre and the state. The focus would include renovation and improvement of runways as well as the development of terminal buildings. The central government would also take responsibility for the technical aspects associated with the airports.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari placed several demands before the Centre regarding the expansion of air connectivity from Bengal. He urged that important pilgrimage destinations, including Ayodhya and the Tirupati temple, be connected with Bengal through regular flight services. The Chief Minister stressed that the focus should not remain limited to domestic air connectivity and called for greater international connectivity from Kolkata.

One of his key demands was the introduction of direct flights from Kolkata to Europe and England. He also requested the establishment of a flying training institute in Bengal, which he said would help strengthen the state's aviation ecosystem and create greater opportunities in the aviation sector.

The decision to revive four airports in Bengal was taken after the change in government in the state. The four locations identified for renewed airport operations are Chharra in Purulia, Balurghat in South Dinajpur, the Hasimara Civil Enclave in Alipurduar and Kalaikunda in West Midnapore. The initiative aims to improve air connectivity across Bengal and bring more parts of the state under the aviation network.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had personally visited Balurghat Airport and reviewed the existing infrastructure and arrangements. He also held administrative meetings to discuss the possibility of starting operations at the airport at the earliest. Other state ministers, too, visited and reviewed the condition of the remaining airports.

The Chief Minister had indicated that the airports would be revived under the Centre's Udaan scheme. The signing of the MoU at Nabanna now marks a significant step towards implementing that plan. With the Centre and the state agreeing to work together on infrastructure, technical requirements and other associated issues, the four airports are expected to receive renewed momentum.

The broader objective of the initiative is to strengthen Bengal's aviation network and establish better air connectivity between different regions of the state as well as major destinations across the country. The state government has also sought improved international connectivity from Kolkata, particularly with Europe and England, along with direct links to major pilgrimage destinations and the development of aviation-related training infrastructure in Bengal.