Kolkata, Sept 2026 : A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Union Government, West Bengal Government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the development of four regional airports in the state is scheduled to be signed on September 23.
The agreement will be signed at the main auditorium of the state secretariat, Nabanna, according to a senior West Bengal government official.
The four proposed regional airports will come up at Chharra in Purulia district, Balurghat in South Dinajpur district, Hasimara in Alipurduar district and Kalaikunda in West Midnapore district. Both Hasimara and Kalaikunda are also important Indian Air Force bases.
Under the proposed arrangement, the West Bengal government will be responsible for providing land and essential services such as electricity, water, connecting roads and other basic facilities required for the projects. The Union Government will undertake the development of basic airport infrastructure, while the Airports Authority of India will be responsible for air traffic management and related operations.
Several senior officials and public representatives are expected to attend the MoU signing ceremony. They are likely to include Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, West Bengal Transport Minister Arjun Singh, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Chairman of the Airports Authority of India, and MPs and MLAs from the four districts.
The state government official said the agreement would provide a framework for strengthening regional air connectivity and expanding air services in Purulia, South Dinajpur, Alipurduar and West Midnapore.
The projects are being pursued under the Union Government's Regional Connectivity Scheme. As part of the arrangement, the state will provide land, access roads, power and water supply, along with basic security and other supporting infrastructure. The Centre will focus on constructing the core airport infrastructure.
Among the four locations, work at Chharra in Purulia has reportedly made considerable progress. The airport has historical significance, having been constructed in 1942 for military requirements during World War II. It remained operational for military purposes until 1945, after which the facility was gradually abandoned.
Efforts to revive the Chharra airport were also initiated during the Left Front government in West Bengal. However, the proposed revival did not make significant progress at that time.
The latest tripartite agreement is expected to provide a fresh framework for developing the four locations and improving regional air connectivity across the state.
