Land hurdle cleared for Hasimara civil airport

Jalpaiguri: Four years after the Centre sanctioned a civil airport at Hasimara under the UDAN scheme, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari has cleared land acquisition to facilitate civilian flight operations from Hasimara Airport.The Airports Authority of India requires 37.74 acres to allow A320 aircraft operations at the strategic IAF base. Currently, north Bengal relies heavily on Bagdogra, as nearby Cooch Behar airport remains non-operative due to its short runway.Located in the Dooars, the airport lies within 40km of Alipurduar town and is surrounded by nearly 200 tea gardens, making it commercially significant.