Monday, Oct 21, 2024 22:45 [IST]
Last Update: Sunday, Oct 20, 2024 17:02 [IST]
GANGTOK,: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone for ‘Bagdogra Airport New Terminal Development Project’ via video conferencing from Varanasi.
Speaking at the ceremony held at Kawakhali SJDA Ground in Siliguri, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista highlighted the Narendra Modi-led Central government’s commitment to the development of Darjeeling hills, Terai, Dooars and North Bengal region.
He noted the development of Bagdogra Airport as crucial for enhancing connectivity in the region. The airport caters to a vast population across North Bengal districts including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar, and travellers from Sikkim, Bihar, Assam and even bordering countries. Bagdogra is the second busiest airport in West Bengal, making the expansion essential, he added.
“Since my election, I have prioritized upgrading Bagdogra to an international airport. I share my appreciation to the people of Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency, who have strengthened and enabled me to convert my vision for our region into a reality,” Bista stated in a Facebook post.
He added that the Central government has allocated over Rs. 60,000 crore for various developmental projects in the region including the Elevated Highway Corridor from Balason, Matigara to Sevoke. “I am happy to share that an additional 14-km four-lane highway corridor connecting Sevoke with Coronation Bridge will be constructed. New alternative Highway 717A to Kalimpong is almost 90% completeand DPR is being prepared for an alternative highway to Darjeeling as well. NJP railway station is being modernised at a cost of Rs 350 crore and various drinking water projects are being allocated through Har Ghar Jal and AMRUT schemes including Rs. 750 crore worth of drinking water and sewerage project for Siliguri,” Bista said.
The first phase of the Bagdogra Airport expansion will see the construction of a new 70,390 sqm terminal with future plans for an additional 50,000 sqm expansion. The new terminal will accommodate 3,000 peak-hour passengers and over 20 million passengers annually. Designed as a green building utilizing renewable energy, the project will include 10 parking bays for A321 aircraft and multi-level parking. The Central government has allocated over Rs 3,000 crores for the project.
Once completed, Bagdogra Airport will be the first international airport in the region, transforming Siliguri, Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars into a world-class destination for travel, tourism, hotels, homestay, education, healthcare commerce, business and trade.
The event had the presence of Union minister Shantanu Thakur, Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb, MLA Shankar Ghosh and Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Zimba among others.
