Kolkata, Sept. 16 -- The proposal to set up four regional airports in West Bengal is set to move forward with the signing of a tripartite MoU between the state government, Centre and Airports Authority of India (AAI) on September 23.
The MoU, to be signed at Nabanna in the presence of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, will pave the way for developing the airports under the UDAN scheme at Chharra in Purulia, Kalaikunda in West Midnapore, Balurghat in South Dinajpur and Hasimara in Alipurduar.
The state government will provide the land, electricity, water and other services. The Centre will oversee the development of airport infrastructure while the AAI will manage air traffic. According to officials, apart from the CM, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu, West Bengal Transport Minister Arjun Singh, Chief Secretary, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, Chairman of the AAI and MPs and MLAs from the respective districts are expected to be present at the programme.
Once the project is completed, it will strengthen the air connectivity infrastructure and regional air services in Purulia, South Dinajpur, Alipurduar and West Midnapore.
The initial work for the project at Chharra in Purulia has already progressed. The airport was built in 1942 during World War II. It was actively used until 1945.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.