The West Bengal government has decided to develop an abandoned airstrip in Purulia’s Chharra into an airport.
On Saturday, Bengal Transport Minister Snehashish Chakraborty said, “A delegation of the transport department recently went to Purulia to see the land. We identified the old airstrip in the Chharra area for the new airport. But it will not be a regular large airport. We will develop it as a small airport at a cost of around Rs 150 crore.”
According to sources, this airstrip remained abandoned for more than 80 years. They added that the airport will be developed in two phases. The first phase will include the construction of a boundary wall, a 1,100-metre-long runway, four parking bays for aircraft, an Air Traffic Control (ATC) building, and a terminal building with capacity to handle around 160 passengers per day. The list also includes a fire station, an electrical substation, three watch towers, an underground reservoir, and a cooling pit.
A high-ranking state official said, “In the first phase, infrastructure is being prepared for 19-seater aircraft. Operators will get a subsidy if they run flights on short routes under the central government’s aviation scheme. In the second phase, the runway length will be increased to 1,700 metres. Thereafter, a 42-seater ATR aircraft can operate from the airport.”
It may be noted that in 2002, former local Congress MLA Nepal Mahato had demanded an airport in Purulia during an Assembly session. When The Indian Express contacted Mahato, he said, “Several industrial areas in Jharkhand are located near Purulia. The Bengal government is also looking to set up heavy industries in Raghunathpur in the district. The tourism scenario of Purulia has also changed now. So, this airport will help both industrialists and tourists.”
Devkumar Dan, member, Purulia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “If Charra airport is launched, it will benefit the industry. Employment opportunities will also increase.”
Manoj Fogla, Secretary, Purulia Small and Medium Industries Association, said, “When the chief minister came to hold an administrative meeting, I proposed the Chharra airport.”
However, the proposed airport is not without its share of problems. The site is abutted by a high-tension electric line and a railway track on one side, reducing the chances of developing the airport on a large scale.