The West Bengal government has decided to make the state a hub for air taxi operation to reap in the benefits of modernisation of the international airport here.
Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee met senior Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials led by AAIs officiating regional executive director S P S Bakshi recently to discuss the matter.
With modernisation of the international airport here getting underway, Air taxi operation from the airport would ensure better connectivity with different growth centres and help promote tourism in West Bengal,Mr Bakshi said.
The Coochbehar airport will be made operational by next month to enhance connectivity with north Bengal, Mr Bakshi said.
The Chief Minister also suggested that the airport at Malda in north Bengal and Behala in the metropolis be reopened for air taxi operations, he said.
AAI Chairman K Ramalingam will arrive here on July nine for a two-day visit to give final shape to the modernisation of the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport after discussions with the Chief Minister.
Chief Minister urges AAI to start Kolkata airport modernisation
Kolkata, July 5
Kolkata airport modernisation project may soon take off after West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee urged the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to expedite the process.
AAI executive director SPS Bakshi has said that the Union Cabinet would take the final decision on who would modernise Kolkata and Chennai airports.
Airoports de Paris, a french company, had submitted the blueprint for the new international terminal in Kolkata a year ago. The project, however, could not start as the aviation ministry did not give the green signal to the project.
However, AAI had already begun the groundwork. The runway extension is underway. The modernisation project would start only after the AAI headquarters issues the work order, NSCBI Airport director V K Monga said yesterday.
AAI sources said Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel wanted to replicate Delhi and Mumbai model in Kolkata also.
Meanwhile, the state government has also planned to start an air taxi operation for connecting industrial and tourism hubs in the state.