West Bengal is set to get a major boost in regional air connectivity, with the Centre and state government signing agreements for the development of four airports over the next two years.
The airports are planned at Charra in Purulia, Kalaikunda in Paschim Medinipur, Balurghat in Dakshin Dinajpur and Hasimara in Alipurduar under the Centre’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
Four Locations to Get Air Connectivity
The plan includes converting the existing Air Force bases at Hasimara and Kalaikunda into civil enclaves. Balurghat’s existing airport infrastructure will be expanded, while a new airstrip is planned at Charra in Purulia.
Officials say the projects are expected to improve connectivity for several districts and could support tourism, agriculture, trade and regional economic activity.
₹29,000 Crore Aviation Push
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the Centre plans to spend around ₹29,000 crore on improving air connectivity in West Bengal over the next decade through the UDAN initiative.
The Centre is also looking at the possibility of a second airport for Kolkata to meet growing demand for air travel.
What the New Airports Could Mean
Hasimara could improve access to Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar, while Kalaikunda could serve Kharagpur and surrounding areas. The revival of Balurghat airport is expected to improve connectivity in South Dinajpur.
The projects are still part of a development plan, so actual flight operations will depend on construction, approvals and other infrastructure requirements.
A New Push for Regional Connectivity
The four-airport plan is being presented as a major expansion of Bengal’s aviation network under UDAN.
Rather than saying development is reaching “every corner under BJP,” the verified update is that the Centre and West Bengal government have agreed on a four-airport development plan aimed at expanding regional air connectivity.
Four locations. Two years. One major push to bring air connectivity closer to more parts of Bengal.