Kolkata, Oct. 5 -- West Bengal is all set for a major expansion of its aviation network, with the Centre and state government signing an MoU on Monday to develop four new full-fledged airports within the next two years, Union Civil Aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said at Nabanna.

The proposed projects include civil enclaves at Hasimara and Kalaikunda, expansion of Balurghat airport and construction of a new airport in Purulia.

The Centre has also placed Bengal among the priority states under the revamped UDAN 2.0 scheme, under which 100 new airports are proposed to be developed across the country over the next decade.

Naidu said the 2,700-metre runway at Kalaikunda could support operations by aircraft such as Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, potentially opening up regular commercial connectivity from the region. He also proposed development of an airstrip at Malda and a pilot-training centre at Behala.

The minister said the Centre was working with the state to strengthen Bagdogra with a new terminal and expand international connectivity from Kolkata, including direct links to European destinations. He said the aviation push was aimed at making Bengal a major growth and connectivity hub in eastern India.

Naidu congratulated the new state government and said Bengal had previously remained deprived of the benefits of several central schemes.

The Centre and state, he said, would now work together to change that situation. He urged the state to formulate a dedicated civil aviation policy to facilitate faster growth of the sector.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari sought direct flights from Kolkata to major European cities including London and improved connectivity from Andal airport to several destinations across India.

He also requested direct services from Bengal to major pilgrimage centres, including Ayodhya, Tirupati and Amritsar.

Adhikari said work had begun on a plan to develop an alternative second international airport on around 2,000 acres at Kalyani. He also sought approval for a flying training institute at Behala. The Chief Minister said improved connectivity means better chances to export Malda mangoes and other agri products through cargo planes.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.