Bengal govt to develop new airport in Purulia, access to several industrial areas in Jharkhand to get easier
An abandoned airstrip in Purulia’s Chharra has been identified as the site of the new airport.
Written by Atri MitraNovember 15, 2025 04:39 PM IST
3 min read
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According to sources, this airstrip remained abandoned for more than 80 years. They added that the airport will be developed in two phases. (Representative Image)
The West Bengal government has decided to develop an abandoned airstrip in Purulia’s Chharra into an airport.
On Saturday, Bengal Transport Minister Snehashish Chakraborty said, “A delegation of the transport department recently went to Purulia to see the land. We identified the old airstrip in the Chharra area for the new airport. But it will not be a regular large airport. We will develop it as a small airport at a cost of around Rs 150 crore.”
According to sources, this airstrip remained abandoned for more than 80 years. They added that the airport will be developed in two phases. The first phase will include the construction of a boundary wall, a 1,100-metre-long runway, four parking bays for aircraft, an Air Traffic Control (ATC) building, and a terminal building with capacity to handle around 160 passengers per day. The list also includes a fire station, an electrical substation, three watch towers, an underground reservoir, and a cooling pit.
A high-ranking state official said, “In the first phase, infrastructure is being prepared for 19-seater aircraft. Operators will get a subsidy if they run flights on short routes under the central government’s aviation scheme. In the second phase, the runway length will be increased to 1,700 metres. Thereafter, a 42-seater ATR aircraft can operate from the airport.”
It may be noted that in 2002, former local Congress MLA Nepal Mahato had demanded an airport in Purulia during an Assembly session. When The Indian Express contacted Mahato, he said, “Several industrial areas in Jharkhand are located near Purulia. The Bengal government is also looking to set up heavy industries in Raghunathpur in the district. The tourism scenario of Purulia has also changed now. So, this airport will help both industrialists and tourists.”
Devkumar Dan, member, Purulia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “If Charra airport is launched, it will benefit the industry. Employment opportunities will also increase.”
Manoj Fogla, Secretary, Purulia Small and Medium Industries Association, said, “When the chief minister came to hold an administrative meeting, I proposed the Chharra airport.”
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However, the proposed airport is not without its share of problems. The site is abutted by a high-tension electric line and a railway track on one side, reducing the chances of developing the airport on a large scale.
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
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