BALURGHAT AIRPORT-inoperative from 1986-encroached by 30 Bangladeshi infiltrators (Balurghat)

India / Bangla / Balurghat
The AAI had not been able to construct the boundary around the 155.45 acres of the airport land because of the encroachment. Problem had been there ever since the AAI decided to renovate the existing airport with a thought of resuming commercial flights three years ago. The last of such flights, a Vayudoot Dornier, had operated in 1986.

Whenever they were asked to vacate the plots, the Bangladeshi squatters produced the pattas or land holding rights. The land department is looking into how these 30-odd families secured the rights.

The encroachment has reduced the open space on both sides of the 1.75km-long runway from 150m to 120m.

If the airports in Malda and Balurghat are not made ready simultaneously it will not be commercially viable for airlines to operate flights

Money spent by Govt of India on Balurghat airport --In 2006-07 Rs10.48Lakh, In 2008-09 10.76 Lakh
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   25°15'44"N   88°47'46"E

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This article was last modified 14 years ago