Bengal to set up new airport, revive small ones

In the wake of growing interest by large industrial groups in West Bengal, the state government has embarked on a plan to revive a number of small airports in the state apart from developing a new airport in Kolkata with private participation.

Replying to a question in the Assembly, Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty said the government was planning to revive a number of small airports in Purulia, Malda, Coochbehar and Bankura districts besides reviving the defunct Behala Flying Club in the outskirts of the metropolis. 

West Bengal was keen on developing a cargo airport between NH-2 and NH-6 near Kona Expressway following requests from many investors, including the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group, he said.

Chakraborty said the government was looking for 1,000 acres of land near the national highway for developing such airports.

Once land was available, formal discussion with the Airports Authority of India would be held to give the project a final shape for developing the new airport, which would be hardly 20 km away from the city.

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