The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport, also known as Dum Dum Airport, recorded a massive rush of passengers returning to Kolkata after the annual Durga Puja festival and subsequent holidays. Airport authorities estimate that a footfall of nearly two lakh passengers was recorded this weekend (October 4 and 5) at the airport. The surge was particularly notable given the higher number of departures recorded before Durga Puja. Around 3.6 lakh passengers arrived and departed during this period, official sources said. "During the six-day period from Panchami (the fifth day of Durga Puja) to Bijoya Dashami (the day after Dashami), approximately 3.6 lakh passengers traveled through the airport," said an official. The peak day of the return rush saw a massive 67,489 passengers arrive at the airport. This figure comprised 64,630 domestic and 2,859 international passengers, highlighting the scale of inbound traffic. On October 6, the airport processed 28,577 domestic arrivals and 27,431 domestic departures, alongside 3,210 international arrivals and 2,946 international departures. The previous day, October 5, saw the highest domestic activity with 30,170 arrivals and 30,220 departures. International traffic on October 5 included 3,716 arrivals and 3,793 departures. The figures for October 4 show a total of 28,360 domestic arrivals and 28,987 domestic departures. International movement on October 4 was marked by the highest recorded international arrivals at 4,119, contrasted by 3,164 international departures. Overall, the peak passenger movement for this period was domestic departures on October 5 and international arrivals on October 4. In response to the sudden influx of passengers, airport authorities implemented special arrangements over a continuous period of two days and two nights to ensure passengers' convenience and minimize disruption.The sudden high volume led to overcrowding on taxi stands and bus stops. Kolkata presently handles its high passenger volume through a single, modern integrated terminal (T2) which caters to both domestic and international operations. The L-shaped terminal, inaugurated in 2013, is equipped with 128 check-in counters, 78 immigration desks, and 18 aerobridges. To manage rapidly growing traffic which is nearing the terminal's capacity, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) last year initiated a significant multi-phase expansion plan, aimed at nearly doubling its annual passenger handling capacity from the current 26 million to 45 million by 2033. "This project includes a near-term modular expansion of the existing terminal, the demolition of the old domestic terminal to make way for a new U-shaped terminal (T3), and a dramatic increase in the number of aircraft parking bays. Once the new terminal is operational, the current T2 building will be converted to handle domestic flights exclusively, while the new T3 will manage a mix of international and domestic traffic, solidifying Kolkata's position as a major aviation hub for Eastern India," said an official.
