West Bengal is set to develop four new airports under the Centre’s regional connectivity programme UDAN, with the facilities targeted for completion within the next two years. An agreement between the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and the West Bengal government has cleared the way for airport development at Charra in Purulia, Kalaikunda in Paschim Medinipur, Balurghat in Dakshin Dinajpur and Hasimara in Alipurduar.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced the plan during a signing ceremony in Kolkata. The Centre has committed Rs 29,000 crore for West Bengal’s aviation sector over the next decade, with the new airports forming part of a broader effort to expand air connectivity across the state.
The proposed facilities are expected to improve connectivity between different regions of West Bengal and support movement of passengers, businesses and tourists. The projects will also bring aviation infrastructure to areas that currently have limited access to air travel.
Four Locations Identified
The airport at Charra in Purulia has an existing historical connection with aviation. Its 1,722-metre runway was built by the British during World War Two for emergency landings but has remained largely unused for several decades. The proposed development could bring the facility back into active use and improve connectivity for Purulia and surrounding areas.
Balurghat airport in Dakshin Dinajpur is expected to improve links between North and South Bengal. Better air connectivity in the region could make travel to other parts of the state more accessible, particularly for passengers who currently depend largely on road and rail networks.
At Hasimara in Alipurduar, a civil enclave is planned to support connectivity to the Dooars region. The location could also serve the tourism sector by providing improved access to one of West Bengal’s important tourism areas.
The fourth airport is planned at Kalaikunda in Paschim Medinipur, adding another aviation facility to the state’s expanding regional connectivity network.
State To Provide Land And Basic Infrastructure
Under the agreement, the West Bengal government will be responsible for providing land for the projects and developing basic infrastructure, including electricity and water supply. The Airports Authority of India will oversee airport infrastructure development and manage flight operations once the facilities become operational.
The projects are expected to be completed within a 24-month timeframe, placing the completion target in 2028.
The Union Civil Aviation Minister has also urged the West Bengal government to formulate a new civil aviation policy aimed at attracting greater private-sector investment in the state’s aviation infrastructure.
In addition to the four proposed airports, the Centre wants Kolkata to have a second airport to address rising demand for air connectivity in the region. The proposal indicates a wider focus on increasing aviation capacity in West Bengal alongside the development of regional airports.
The new airports under UDAN could expand the state’s air connectivity network and provide additional travel options for residents of Purulia, Paschim Medinipur, Dakshin Dinajpur and Alipurduar. The projects will also require coordinated work between the state government and the Airports Authority of India to meet the proposed 2028 completion timeline.
