Religion should not hinder development: BJP on proposed relocation of mosque near Kolkata Airport runway
Barasat, May 30
Reacting to the proposed relocation of an over 100-year-old mosque situated near the secondary runway of Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, the BJP on Saturday said that religion should not become an obstacle to development and infrastructure expansion.
Speaking to IANS, BJP MLA Sourav Sikdar said that the mosque's location has become a major concern for the expansion of the airport runway and also poses safety and security challenges.
"There has been extensive discussion on the issue. 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.
He added that a joint meeting was recently convened at the District Magistrate's office in Barasat, where members of the mosque committee were also present. According to him, discussions with stakeholders are continuing and efforts are being made to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution.
"We requested the members of the mosque committee to consider relocating the structure. The discussions are still ongoing. The land on which the mosque stands belongs to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), as it falls within the operational area of the runway," he said.
Sikdar further stated that the airport's development and runway expansion are essential, given the importance of Kolkata Airport as one of the country's major aviation hubs.
"Since the mosque is located within the runway area, its relocation is necessary for the expansion and development of the airport. It is a priority that the airport be upgraded and expanded at the earliest. Kolkata Airport is one of the most important airports in the country," he told IANS.
Emphasising the need for cooperation, the BJP leader said he had appealed to Muslim religious leaders and community representatives to support the relocation process.
"I have requested Muslim clerics and community leaders to cooperate in shifting the mosque. Alternative land will be allotted for the purpose. However, religion should not come in the way of development," he added.
The remarks come amid reports that the West Bengal government is moving ahead with plans to relocate the century-old mosque located within the operational zone of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. According to sources familiar with the matter, discussions regarding the relocation have gained momentum in recent months.
The mosque, believed to be more than 130 years old and older than the airport itself, is situated approximately 165 metres from the airport's secondary runway. Aviation authorities have long maintained that its location restricts runway expansion, affects flight operations, and delays the installation of advanced Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), which are crucial for aircraft landings during periods of dense winter fog.
The issue has remained politically sensitive for decades. During land acquisition for airport expansion in the 1950s and 1960s, several nearby villages were relocated. However, residents reportedly agreed to move only after receiving assurances that the historic mosque would remain undisturbed.
Successive governments avoided relocating the structure. In 1995, then Chief Minister Jyoti Basu reportedly rejected a proposal to shift the mosque. Later, in 2003, the Centre and the then Left Front government altered airport expansion plans and extended the runway from the opposite side, resulting in additional expenditure and road diversions near Kaikhali.
At present, the mosque lies within the airport's high-security airside zone under the protection of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Worshippers are permitted entry only after security screening and are transported through escorted shuttle services within the airport premises.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's easy to say 'religion shouldn't hinder development' when it's not your own place of worship. This mosque has been there for over 130 years, older than the airport. The earlier governments including Left and Congress avoided touching it for a reason. If they had planned better in the 1950s, this mess wouldn't exist. Now they want to bulldoze heritage for a runway extension? There must be a better solution that respects both faith and progress.
Finally, a government with spine! Previous governments wasted crores extending the runway from the other side just to avoid this issue. Look at the safety aspect: worshippers need CISF escorts and security checks just to enter the airside zone. That's a security risk in itself. Give them a better plot nearby with proper facilities - everyone wins. Development cannot be held hostage by sentiment forever. 🚀
As a frequent flyer from Kolkata, I've seen how fog paralyses our airport every winter. The ILS installation is long overdue. But this shouldn't become a Hindu vs Muslim issue. The government must handle it with sensitivity - ensure the mosque is relocated with all due respect, proper compensation, and a new facility that serves the community better. Let's not make this another political football. 🙏
I appreciate the BJP MLA's efforts for dialogue rather than unilateral action. But why wasn't this sorted decades ago? Every kg of fuel wasted during holding patterns due to limited runway capacity is a cost to the airline and the environment. Kolkata could be a major aviation hub for the East - but not with these constraints. Pragmatism over politics, please. 🤷♂️
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