Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari's chopper makes emergency landing at Kolaghat in bad weather
Synopsis
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's helicopter was grounded mid-route by bad weather on Tuesday, forcing an unplanned landing at a football ground in Kolaghat. He switched to road transport to reach Keshpur for the Khudiram Bose martyrdom anniversary — a reminder that even routine official travel in Bengal's monsoon season carries operational risk.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari 's helicopter made an emergency landing at Kolaghat, East Midnapore on Tuesday afternoon due to bad weather.
The chopper landed at the football ground of Kolaghat Balaka Mancha , next to the Kolaghat Thermal Power Plant .
Adhikari completed the journey to Keshpur by road; the helicopter returned to Kolkata.
He attended the martyrdom day anniversary of freedom fighter Khudiram Bose in Keshpur, Bose's birthplace.
The CM was also scheduled to chair a Western Region Development Board meeting in Bankura covering seven districts .
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing at Kolaghat in East Midnapore district on Tuesday afternoon after deteriorating weather conditions made it unsafe to continue the flight from Kolkata to Keshpur in West Midnapore district. The chopper touched down at the football ground of Kolaghat Balaka Mancha, located adjacent to the Kolaghat Thermal Power Plant.
What Happened Mid-Flight
Chief Minister Adhikari had boarded the helicopter from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, with Keshpur as his destination. As the aircraft was airborne, weather conditions worsened rapidly. The pilot, exercising caution, chose to abort the route and landed at the nearest suitable ground in Kolaghat, East Midnapore — an adjacent district to the original destination.
After the unscheduled stop, the Chief Minister completed the remaining journey to Keshpur by road. The helicopter subsequently returned to Kolkata from Kolaghat.
Purpose of the Visit
CM Adhikari's primary engagement in Keshpur was the martyrdom day anniversary of legendary Bengali freedom fighter Khudiram Bose, who was born in the town and was hanged by British colonial authorities. The commemoration holds significant historical weight in the region.
From Keshpur, the Chief Minister was scheduled to travel to the neighbouring Bankura district to chair a meeting with district administration officials from all seven districts under the Western Region Development Board.
Western Region Development Board Meeting
The Bankura meeting was set to focus on the development roadmap for the Board, which critics allege was neglected under the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led by Mamata Banerjee. According to reports, the Board received no fund allocation for several years and all development activity was effectively at a standstill.
The new state government reportedly allocated funds for the Board in its first budget. Tuesday's meeting was expected to lay out a fresh development outline for the seven districts falling under the Board's jurisdiction.
Other Engagements in Bankura
In Bankura, Chief Minister Adhikari was also scheduled to attend a family function of local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Niladri Sekhar Dana. The Chief Minister was expected to return to Kolkata by evening, though it remained unclear at the time of reporting whether the return journey would be by helicopter or road.
Point of View
But the political optics are notable: Adhikari's first major western Bengal tour as Chief Minister was disrupted by weather, and he still pressed ahead by road — signalling intent. The Bankura meeting on the Western Region Development Board is the more consequential story here. The BJP government's effort to revive a board that critics say was starved of funds under TMC will be a test of whether administrative reactivation translates into on-ground delivery for seven districts that have long felt marginalised from Kolkata's development priorities.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari's helicopter make an emergency landing?
The helicopter carrying Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari made an emergency landing at Kolaghat in East Midnapore district on Tuesday afternoon because of deteriorating weather conditions. The pilot chose to land at the football ground of Kolaghat Balaka Mancha rather than risk continuing the flight to Keshpur.
Where exactly did the helicopter land?
The chopper landed at the football ground of Kolaghat Balaka Mancha, situated next to the Kolaghat Thermal Power Plant in East Midnapore district. After landing, CM Adhikari proceeded to Keshpur by road.
What was the purpose of CM Adhikari's visit to Keshpur?
Adhikari was travelling to Keshpur in West Midnapore to attend the martyrdom day anniversary of freedom fighter Khudiram Bose, who was born in Keshpur and was hanged by British colonial authorities.
What is the Western Region Development Board meeting about?
The meeting in Bankura was convened to discuss a development roadmap for seven districts under the Western Region Development Board. According to reports, the Board had been neglected for several years under the previous TMC government, with no fund allocation and all development work stalled. The new government allocated funds in its first budget.
Did CM Adhikari return to Kolkata by helicopter after the emergency landing?
It was not confirmed at the time of reporting whether the Chief Minister would return to Kolkata by helicopter or by road. He was expected back in Kolkata by Tuesday evening.
