Kolkata Community Portal || Kolkata Community Portal - News, Reviews, Comments & Discussion

Centre Keen To Convert Behala Flying Club Into An Airport

By parul118, Section Development
Posted on Wed Oct 17, 2007 at 01:58:38 AM EST

The Centre is keen on developing the Behala Flying Training Institute (BFTI) or Behala Flying Club (BFC), as it is popularly known on the outer limits of Kolkata into a full fledged commercial airport to facilitate movement of small aircrafts. This move will ease the pressure on the city's 'over burdened' Netaji Subhas International Airport.

Praful Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister said this in Kolkata after laying the foundation stone for the upgradation of the BFC, which was idle and non-operational for more than two decades. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has already allocated Rs 10 crore for upgrading the BFC runway, installing ground lights and setting up a boundary wall.

Patel said, "Such small airports are essential for easy movement of air-traffic. But to convert BFC into a full-fledged commercial airport, we need an additional 30 acres of land. The land is required to extend the runway." He added, "We do not need money. All we need from the state government is water, electricity and land to modernise the airport. An additional investment of Rs 50 crore would be required." This amount will be used to set up a passenger terminal building, an air traffic control tower and other amenities.

Presently, BFC is spread over 210 acres with a runaway of 3,500 feet long. To make it suitable for movement of commercial flights, the runway has to be expanded to 4,500 feet. The AAI would require an additional 30-40 acres to widen the runway.

"Once the runway extension is complete, small commercial aircraft like ATR can operate from Behala," the minister pointed out.

Patel also added that the existing 'non operational' airport at Cooch Behar is being revamped thoroughly and commercial operations will start shortly. In a related development, an agreement was also signed between BFC and Camelia Group, which has taken it over to train pilots at its aviation institute.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the West Bengal chief minister who was also present on the occasion said the state would make all efforts to provide land for converting BFC into a commercial airport.

Source:http://www.expresstravelworld.com,17-10-07

< Bengal To Set Up Auto Parts Hub On 500 Acres | Protest Over Ration Supply Continues In West Bengal >