Air services from Cooch Behar Airport to resume soon

INDIAN EXPRESS

May 31, 2006

The 3Ts, Tea, Tourism and Trade in North Bengal will get a major fillip following the Centre's decision to resume air services from Cooch Behar Airport in West Bengal. Nirupam Sen, the West Bengal Commerce & Industries Minister, said that though the exact date has not been finalised, it was likely to restart by next May or June.

The Airport, built on 145 acres of land in the district of Cooch Behar in North Bengal and with a capacity to handle 40 aircraft, has not been operating since the devastating floods that hit the region in 1993.

The Union Civil Aviation Ministry had recently sanctioned Rs 20 crore for the development of the airport. William Minz, Eastern Regional Executive Director (Acting), Airports Authority of India, told Express TravelWorld, "The work on extension of the runaway has already started and the work on the modification and extension of the existing Passenger Lounge at the Airport will be taken up shortly. It will also have a new terminal building with modern facilities at a later stage."

Low-cost carriers like Air Deccan and Alliance Airlines have already come forward with proposals for launching air services from the airport. But the number of flights and the destinations are yet to be finalised. Minz further added that after thorough renovation, the airport would be ready for flights by 40-seater aircraft like ATR-42.

Industry watchers feel that once air services resume from this airport there will be a growth in arrivals of both foreign and domestic tourists into the State. The West Bengal Tourism Department's efforts to actively promote 'Dooars' in North Bengal as a tourist destination often hit air-pockets following suspension of air services. The resumption will bring in new investments into the region.

The Center has been taking special interest in the economic development of the East and Northeastern Region under its 'Look East Policy' and the recent decision is aimed at that direction.