West Bengal tripartite MoU for 4 regional airports to be signed on September 23
Synopsis
West Bengal is set to get four new regional airports under a tripartite MoU being signed on September 23 at Nabanna — covering Purulia, South Dinajpur, Alipurduar, and West Midnapore. One of the sites, Chharra, is a World War II-era airstrip that has sat abandoned since 1945. The deal revives a long-pending connectivity push for some of the state's most underserved districts.
Key Takeaways
A tripartite MoU between the Union Government , West Bengal Government , and AAI for 4 regional airports will be signed on 23 September 2026 at Nabanna .
The four proposed sites are Chharra (Purulia) , Balurghat (South Dinajpur) , Hasimara (Alipurduar) , and Kalaikunda (West Midnapore) .
Hasimara and Kalaikunda are also active Indian Air Force bases.
West Bengal will provide land and utilities; the Union Government will build infrastructure; AAI will manage air traffic.
Chharra airport was originally built in 1942 for World War II military use and has been abandoned since 1945 .
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu are expected to attend the signing.
A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Union Government, the West Bengal Government, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for developing four new regional airports in West Bengal will be signed on 23 September 2026 at the state secretariat, Nabanna, in Kolkata. The agreement marks a significant step toward expanding air connectivity in underserved districts of the state.
The Four Proposed Airport Sites
The regional airports are proposed at Chharra in Purulia district, Balurghat in South Dinajpur district, Hasimara in Alipurduar district, and Kalaikunda in West Midnapore district. Notably, both Hasimara and Kalaikunda are active bases of the Indian Air Force, adding a strategic dimension to the civilian aviation development plans.
Who Is Responsible for What
Under the proposed MoU, the West Bengal government will provide land, electricity, water supply, connecting roads, and basic security for all four projects. The Union Government will fund and oversee the construction of core airport infrastructure, while the Airports Authority of India will manage air traffic operations. This division of responsibilities follows the framework of the Union Government's Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), commonly known as UDAN.
Who Will Attend the Signing
According to a senior state government official, the MoU will be signed in the presence of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu, West Bengal Transport Minister Arjun Singh, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the Chairman of the Airports Authority of India are also expected to attend, along with Members of Parliament and legislators from the respective districts.
The History Behind Chharra Airport
Of the four sites, Chharra in Purulia has the most advanced groundwork, according to state officials. The airfield was originally constructed in 1942 to serve military requirements during World War II, remaining active until 1945. It was subsequently abandoned and lay dormant for decades. Efforts to revive it during the Left Front government's tenure did not yield meaningful progress, making the current initiative a long-delayed push for a facility with a storied past.
What This Means for Regional Connectivity
The signing of the MoU is expected to pave the way for strengthened air services across Purulia, South Dinajpur, Alipurduar, and West Midnapore — districts that currently lack direct commercial air links. If the project advances on schedule, it could meaningfully reduce travel times for residents of these largely rural and border-adjacent areas, with broader implications for tourism, trade, and emergency medical access. The next key milestone will be the formal signing ceremony on 23 September, after which land acquisition timelines and construction schedules are expected to be disclosed.
Point of View
State, and AAI responsibilities under the RCS framework — but the history of Chharra is a cautionary note: it was flagged for revival during the Left Front era and went nowhere. The participation of two IAF bases at Hasimara and Kalaikunda adds complexity, since civilian-military shared-use agreements have historically been slow to clear defence ministry protocols. Whether this signing translates into operational airports or becomes another line in a long list of regional connectivity announcements depends almost entirely on land handover speed and inter-ministerial coordination — two areas where Indian aviation projects have repeatedly stalled.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tripartite MoU for regional airports in West Bengal?
It is an agreement between the Union Government, the West Bengal Government, and the Airports Authority of India to develop four new regional airports in the state. The MoU is scheduled to be signed on 23 September 2026 at the Nabanna secretariat in Kolkata.
Which four airports will be developed under this MoU?
The four proposed airports are at Chharra in Purulia district, Balurghat in South Dinajpur district, Hasimara in Alipurduar district, and Kalaikunda in West Midnapore district. Hasimara and Kalaikunda are also Indian Air Force bases.
What are the responsibilities of each party under the MoU?
West Bengal will provide land, electricity, water, connecting roads, and basic security. The Union Government will fund and build core airport infrastructure. The Airports Authority of India will manage air traffic at the new facilities.
What is the history of the Chharra airport in Purulia?
Chharra airport was originally built in 1942 for military use during World War II and remained active until 1945. It was subsequently abandoned, and an earlier attempt to revive it during the Left Front government did not progress significantly.
Who will attend the MoU signing on September 23?
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu, West Bengal Transport Minister Arjun Singh, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the AAI Chairman, and MPs and MLAs from the affected districts are expected to be present.
