Before leaving Cooch Behar for Siliguri, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Saturday visited Cooch Behar airport and held discussions with airport officials on the expansion of the runway and the resumption of aircraft services.
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Before leaving Cooch Behar for Siliguri, state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Saturday visited Cooch Behar airport and held discussions with airport officials on the expansion of the runway and the resumption of aircraft services.
It may be noted that the nine-seater aircraft service from Cooch Behar has been temporarily suspended, despite being scheduled to continue till 31 January. The suspension has caused concern among local residents, who share a deep emotional attachment with the airport, originally built by the Cooch Behar royal family. Despite this historical significance, regular air connectivity from the airport has remained uncertain.
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Speaking to reporters, Bhattacharya said that he had already raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha and would follow up with the concerned authorities to ascertain the updated status and ensure that necessary requirements are met for the continuation of air services.
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He pointed out that, under current international aviation guidelines, the airport is not equipped to handle the landing of 42-seater aircraft. Bhattacharya further stressed that expansion of the runway is imperative for the airport’s long-term viability, though the project faces several obstacles due to the presence of a railway line and other critical infrastructure in the vicinity.
According to Bhattacharya, a plan is under consideration to construct a culvert over the Mora Torsa, which would make runway expansion feasible. He added that the Union government is working on this model to develop the airport and ensure that the people of Cooch Behar can avail regular air services.
Responding to pointed questions from reporters, Bhattacharya said: “No government ~ whether it is the Trinamul, the UPA or the NDA ~ wants this airport to be shut down. For the overall development of this airport, close coordination between the state and the central governments is essential. However, such an initiative has not been seen from the state government’s side.”
The issue of Cooch Behar Airport has once again emerged as a key political and developmental concern in North Bengal, with air connectivity increasingly being linked to regional aspirations and administrative coordination.
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