Kolkata airport expansion will relocate religious structures near its secondary runway. The 136-year-old Bankra Mosque sits just 165 metres from active flight paths. Kolkata airport expansion to relocate religious structures comes as authorities push the facility toward global hub status.
A temple near the airport police station will also shift as part of the same plan. As Kolkata airport expansion moves to relocate religious structures, officials cite safety and security requirements repeatedly. The proposal has been debated across successive state and central governments for more than three decades.
A Long-Running Debate Nears Resolution
The mosque, also known as Gouripur Jame Masjid, currently operates under CISF security oversight. Only 10 to 25 local devotees can access it daily through an escorted shuttle service. Friday congregations rise to around 80 worshippers, with even higher footfall during Ramzan.
Recent coordination between the West Bengal state government and the Centre has renewed momentum on the issue. Officials propose building a larger, more accessible mosque outside the airport premises entirely. Mosque committee representatives and several Muslim organisations have joined ongoing discussions on the relocation plan.
What’s at Stake for Capacity
Kolkata’s airport could handle nearly 40 million passengers annually once redevelopment work completes. Advanced landing systems and runway optimisation depend directly on the relocation moving forward. The project marks one of the airport’s most significant infrastructure decisions in recent decades.
Officials insist safety requirements and heritage concerns can be balanced with care and sensitivity. The coming months should finally show whether that balance actually holds in practice.
