Mumbai, July 6 -- The proposed Hasimara Civil Airport will expand from 25 acres to 37 acres to develop a full-fledged domestic airport. The state government issued a No Objection Certificate for the transfer of 25 acres of government khas land adjacent to Hasimara Air Force Station. To avoid constraints faced by Cooch Behar Airport the state will acquire an additional 12 acres from adjoining Satali and Madhu tea estates.
The entire 37-acre parcel will be handed to the Union Civil Aviation Ministry for development. Alipurduar District Land and Land Reforms department has begun surveying the site under state directives. Officials must complete the exercise on priority and submit a detailed report.
The Union Civil Aviation Ministry recommended additional land to secure adequate infrastructure and runway length for domestic operations according to state sources. The Minister of State for Home Affairs Bishal Lama said the recommendation had been accepted and that the move might slightly delay the project while keeping the development on course. Alipurduar BJP MP Manoj Tigga indicated civil aviation officials would soon inspect the site and that construction would begin once the land transfer was completed.
Ratul Biswas, secretary of a voluntary organisation and a leading face of the Hasimara movement, welcomed the decision as a sign of government commitment. The expansion aims to provide space for infrastructure including an extended runway and support facilities. The extra land from the tea estates should address constraints that have affected nearby regional airports.
The project is subject to formal land transfer procedures and inspection by central authorities. Local officials continue to prioritise the survey and reporting to expedite handover to the Union ministry. Stakeholders expect that once formalities are completed the project will move to detailed planning and construction.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.