Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the expansion project of Bagdogra Airport, one of the most important aviation hubs in the North Eastern region. From Varanasi on Sunday, he inaugurated the foundation-laying of four more airport expansion projects and three expansion projects in the country besides Bagdogra. The foundation-laying ceremony of the Bagdogra Airport expansion project was held at Kawakhali, near Siliguri. Apart from Union Minister of State for Shipping Shantanu Thakur, two MLAs from Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri and MLAs from Siliguri and Lagoa were present on the occasion. Siliguri Mayor Gautam Dev was present on the occasion as a representative of the state government.
While welcoming him, BJP supporters chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’. However, the mayor of Siliguri practically ignored this behavior of BJP supporters. However, while presenting his speech, the mayor of Siliguri said, “The foundation stone of the Bagdogra Airport expansion project was possible because the state government gave land.” In this project, the state government gave 105 acres of land to the airport authority. Before that, about 28 acres of land was also given for the development of night flight infrastructure at Bagdogra. While speaking after the mayor, the Union Minister of State for Shipping also gave a counter reply. He said, “If the state government gives land, the center will build more airports in Bengal.”
The expansion of Bagdogra Airport has been in the works for the past few years. Because, in the last decade, Bagdogra Airport’s annual passenger numbers have increased to more than three million. More than 30 flights depart daily. To handle the passenger rush, a completely new terminal will be built at the Bagdogra airport at a cost of around three thousand crore rupees. The other will be international. Modern hotels, car parking, and other facilities will be created so that passengers can spend the night in the airport area. The entire airport will be powered by solar power. The MP of Darjeeling claims, ‘Keeping in mind the locational importance of this area and the development of tourism, the central government has invested about 60 thousand crore rupees. Several projects have already started. The rest will also start soon.
