Jalpaiguri: Four years after the Centre sanctioned a civil airport at Hasimara under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has cleared the land acquisition process to facilitate civilian flight operations from Hasimara Airport. This development marks a significant step towards improving air connectivity in the region.
Land Acquisition Details
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) requires 37.74 acres of land to enable operations of A320 aircraft at the strategic Indian Air Force (IAF) base. The acquisition is crucial for the expansion and modernization of the airport to handle commercial flights.
Current Connectivity Challenges
Currently, north Bengal heavily relies on Bagdogra Airport for air travel, as the nearby Cooch Behar airport remains non-operative due to its short runway. The lack of adequate airport infrastructure has been a long-standing issue for the region, affecting both passengers and cargo movement.
Commercial Significance of Hasimara Airport
Located in the Dooars region, Hasimara Airport lies within 40 kilometers of Alipurduar town. The airport is surrounded by nearly 200 tea gardens, making it commercially significant for the tea industry and tourism. The establishment of civilian flight operations is expected to boost economic activities in the area, including trade and tourism.
Background of the UDAN Scheme
The UDAN scheme, launched by the Government of India, aims to make air travel affordable and accessible to the common man by connecting unserved and underserved airports. Hasimara was one of the airports identified under this scheme to improve regional connectivity.
With the land acquisition clearance, the project is expected to move forward, bringing much-needed air connectivity to the Dooars region and reducing the travel burden on Bagdogra Airport.
