West Bengal mulls two small airports thro PPP mode

Kolkata: After Cooch Behar and Andal, West Bengal is likely to have two more small airports in Kanchrapara and Barrackpore. The State Government plans private partnership deals to develop these airports, according to the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.


“We need smaller airports in the State for industrial development. We had approached the Indian Air Force for land to develop small airports. The Air Force has agreed to hand over land at Kanchrapara and Barrackpore for civilian use. The proposed airports will be developed by private players,” Mr Bhattacharjee told newspersons on the sidelines of 120th annual general meeting of the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today. The ownership of the land will remain with the Indian Air Force.


However, Mr Bhattacharjee did not disclose further details including the size of investment and schedule for commencement of work. It may be recalled that the State Government plans similar airports in Cooch Behar and Andal, a place between Durgapur and Asansol. Flights from Cooch Behar airport are expected to start from November.


On increase in number of international flights from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, Mr Bhattacharjee said, “Lufthansa airlines, which operates flights from Kolkata thrice a week, is keen to start daily flights from Kolkata. Air France has also expressed their desire to start service from Kolkata to Paris.”


According to Mr Bhattacharjee, by the end of this year the Kolkata is likely to have a Chinese consulate office following which the State Government plans to approach the Union Civil Aviation Ministry for direct flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou in China.


On the proposed chemical hub at Nayachar, Mr Bhattacharjee said the State Government will send the proposal to the Union Fertiliser and Chemical Ministry in next two to three days.