The expansion of Bagdogra Airport is scheduled to commence soon as the Bagdogra Airport authority has been handed over the remaining land by the Air Force. In a positive development, it was announced by the Central government that the sanctioned amount for the project has been increased from Rs 18 billion to Rs 30 billion.
Ravi Sarkar, Joint General Manager, Bagdogra Airport Authority, stated that they had been eagerly awaiting the handover of the entire land, which they have finally received. He further added that after formulating a master plan for the project, they would initiate the tender process in the following month.
Bagdogra Airport holds significant importance in Northeast India as it serves as a crucial transportation hub for numerous passengers travelling to different parts of the country on a daily basis. The airport has witnessed a noticeable surge in passenger traffic, leading to the decision to expand its infrastructure. Moreover, the absence of night flights has further intensified the need for expansion.
A total of 104 acre of land has been finalised for the expansion project, with the state government previously allocating approximately 98.72 acre. However, the work faced delays due to the remaining land falling under the jurisdiction of the Air Force.
The Air Force authorities finally handed over the remaining 6 acre of land to the airport authority.
According to sources at the airport, Bagdogra Airport currently handles around 60 flights daily, with an average of nine to ten thousand passengers passing through its premises each day.
Initially, the Central government had planned to allocate Rs 15 billion for the expansion project, but the funding was subsequently increased to Rs 18 billion.
During a public event in Siliguri, Raju Bista, the Member of Parliament for Darjeeling, recently announced a further increase in funding to Rs 30 billion.
Upon completion of the expansion, Bagdogra Airport will have the capability to operate night flights, including international routes. Additionally, the passenger capacity will witness a significant boost, addressing the growing demand for air travel in the region.
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