The proposal of the Airport Authority of India to shift Bagdogra Airport to Purnea in Bihar, has sent shudders down the spines of frequent travellers from Darjeeling district, north Bengal and Sikkim. Sources claim the AAI voted to move the city’s gateway airport to Purnea in Bihar, owing to the installation of the proposed Instrumental Landing System (ILS), for which 12.91 acres of land is required in the airport premises, followed by expansion of the airport terminal which needs another 120 acres. Earlier this month, the AAI held a meeting with Indian Air Force officials in Delhi to discuss the land acquisition process for the installation of night landing facility at the airport, extension of the terminal and setting up of residential quarters, following which the idea to relocate the airport to Purnea was construed.
It may be recalled that the airport had purchased eight acres of land at Gonsainpur under the Matigara block for the proposed projects, but the authorities are yet to take possession as the administration has failed to vacate the land. "Bagdogra airport experienced a 42 per cent boost in passenger numbers in the recent past. The airport welcomed 10.35 lakh passengers in the last financial year (2014-15) marking an increase of 4.2 per cent compared to the previous fiscal year. Around 26 flights operate daily at the airport. But at the same time, it is also very important that the airport is expanded to facilitate more people. The delay in the land acquisition process is affecting the development of the airport," said the source, also adding the AAI may approach IAF officials to take an extra land of around 30 acres at Bagdogra in exchange of the IAF land in Purnea. Following the Indo-China war in 1962, the Union civil aviation ministry handed over the airport to the IAF, which permitted the airport authority to run flights till 10 pm of July 1, 2014.
29/07/15 Siliguri/The Echo Of India
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It may be recalled that the airport had purchased eight acres of land at Gonsainpur under the Matigara block for the proposed projects, but the authorities are yet to take possession as the administration has failed to vacate the land. "Bagdogra airport experienced a 42 per cent boost in passenger numbers in the recent past. The airport welcomed 10.35 lakh passengers in the last financial year (2014-15) marking an increase of 4.2 per cent compared to the previous fiscal year. Around 26 flights operate daily at the airport. But at the same time, it is also very important that the airport is expanded to facilitate more people. The delay in the land acquisition process is affecting the development of the airport," said the source, also adding the AAI may approach IAF officials to take an extra land of around 30 acres at Bagdogra in exchange of the IAF land in Purnea. Following the Indo-China war in 1962, the Union civil aviation ministry handed over the airport to the IAF, which permitted the airport authority to run flights till 10 pm of July 1, 2014.
29/07/15 Siliguri/The Echo Of India
