Synopsis
Suvendu Adhikari criticizes the West Bengal government for insufficient cooperation hindering airport development, particularly at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. He emphasizes the need for collaboration to improve air connectivity and boost investment in the state.Key Takeaways
- Suvendu Adhikari highlights lack of state support for airports.
- Development of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is stalled.
- Requests for land and infrastructure assistance have gone unanswered.
- State government's inaction affects investment opportunities.
- Call for resolution of land issues to improve air connectivity.
Kolkata, Feb 6 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, claimed on Thursday that the lack of cooperation from the state government has been creating significant obstacles for the development of airports in the region, citing various examples.
The BJP leader highlighted how the absence of support from the state authorities has hampered the growth of the largest airport in West Bengal, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.
Adhikari noted that despite the ongoing efforts of the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to secure land for infrastructure expansion at the airport, there has been no favorable response from the state government.
He mentioned that assistance was requested for relocating a mosque situated at the secondary runway (19-R) and for constructing an operational boundary wall near the 'mazar'. However, the West Bengal government did not respond to these requests.
Additionally, Adhikari pointed out that multiple letters sent by former civil aviation ministers to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding land allocation for a second airport near Kolkata went unanswered.
According to the opposition leader, the state government also declined to cooperate with the Union government’s request for help concerning Behala Airport, located on the southern outskirts of Kolkata, which involved the diversion of a city road crossing the land of the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
"There are challenges related to land acquisition for the development of all the aforementioned airports. The state government has shown no positive intent to resolve these issues," Adhikari remarked.
He stressed the necessity for the state government to address these land acquisition matters to enhance air connectivity in West Bengal.
"This will undoubtedly improve the current investment climate that is affecting the state and enhance industrialization prospects," the BJP leader concluded.
