The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, 30 May said that religion should not obstruct development, reacting to the proposed relocation of a 130-year-old mosque situated approximately 165 metres from the secondary runway of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. The statement comes as the West Bengal government reportedly moves ahead with plans to shift the century-old structure, which aviation authorities say restricts runway expansion and delays critical navigation upgrades.

What the BJP Said

BJP MLA Sourav Sikdar, speaking from Barasat, said the mosque's location has become a significant concern for both airport expansion and aviation safety. “The mosque needs to be relocated for development purposes because it is creating difficulties in the expansion of the runway. Apart from affecting the airport’s expansion plans, it is also a significant safety and security concern,” Sikdar said.

Sikdar noted that a joint meeting was recently held at the District Magistrate’s office in Barasat, attended by members of the mosque committee. He added that discussions with stakeholders are continuing and that alternative land would be allotted for the relocated structure. “However, religion should not come in the way of development,” he said.

Why the Mosque Location Is a Problem

The mosque, believed to be older than the airport itself, sits within the airport’s high-security airside zone and is currently under the protection of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Worshippers are permitted entry only after security screening and are transported via escorted shuttle services within the premises.

Aviation authorities have long maintained that the structure’s position restricts runway expansion, affects flight operations, and delays the installation of advanced Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) — equipment considered crucial for aircraft landings during periods of dense winter fog. The land on which the mosque stands belongs to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), as it falls within the operational runway area.

A Politically Sensitive History

The issue has remained politically contentious for decades. During land acquisition for airport expansion in the 1950s and 1960s, several nearby villages were relocated. Residents reportedly agreed to move only after receiving assurances that the historic mosque would remain undisturbed.

Successive governments steered clear of the matter. In 1995, then Chief Minister Jyoti Basu reportedly rejected a proposal to shift the mosque. In 2003, the Centre and the then Left Front government altered expansion plans and extended the runway from the opposite end, incurring additional expenditure and road diversions near Kaikhali.

Current Status and What Comes Next

According to sources familiar with the matter, discussions regarding the relocation have gained momentum in recent months. Sikdar said he has appealed to Muslim clerics and community leaders to cooperate in the process, emphasising that Kolkata Airport is one of the country’s most important aviation hubs and must be upgraded at the earliest.

With talks still ongoing and no final decision announced, the outcome will depend on whether a mutually acceptable agreement can be reached between the mosque committee, the AAI, and state authorities. The resolution of this long-pending dispute could set a precedent for how India navigates faith-versus-infrastructure conflicts at major public facilities.