Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar meets Civil Aviation Minister, discuss operationalisation of Balurghat airport
Balurghat, June 8
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, met with Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu to discuss the development and revival of the Balurghat airport in West Bengal.
Naidu assured him of swift action to facilitate the early operationalisation of the airport, enhancing air connectivity in the North Bengal region.
NDA Government under PM's leadership is deeply committed to creating new growth corridors for Bengal.
The Balurghat Airport in the South Dinajpur district has its basic infrastructure ready, but flight services have remained suspended for decades. Majumdar has actively urged the Ministry to integrate the airport into the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) to benefit residents of North Bengal and neighbouring areas.
Meanwhile, after meeting with the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that an approval letter for at least Rs 1,000 crore has been received for two phases of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
"In Bengal, the rural and agricultural sectors are very significant, with 60-65% of people dependent on agriculture, so I had a meeting with the Agriculture Minister. It was a very good meeting, and I am grateful to the Agriculture Minister. Today, we received an approval letter from him for approximately Rs 1,000 crore for two phases of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana," he told reporters.
He further announced that a new rural employment scheme will be rolled out shortly, with more than Rs 700 crore sanctioned to commence work under the initiative this month.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some focus on infrastructure in Bengal beyond Kolkata! The Rs 1000 crore for rural roads and new employment scheme are much needed. But I hope these funds actually reach the ground-level workers and farmers, not just remain on paper. Bengal's rural economy needs real push.
I'm from Balurghat and this is a huge relief! Our district has so much potential - mangoes, silk, tourism - but no air connectivity kills it. When I had to travel to Delhi for work last year, I spent almost a day just reaching Bagdogra. Please make UDAN flights happen soon! ✈️
As someone who travels to India often for business, I've seen how regional airports transform local economies. Balurghat connecting to UDAN would be a game-changer. North Bengal has so many tea gardens and natural beauty spots that tourists avoid due to poor connectivity. Smart move by the Minister.
Good to see Centre-Bengal cooperation on development. But the state government should also clear land acquisition hurdles and provide security clearance quickly. Don't want another case like Andal airport where Centre built but state sat on approvals for years. Let's hope this time it's different.
The rural employment scheme with Rs 700 crore is what caught my attention. Bengal's villages have been struggling with unemployment. Hopefully this isn't just election gimmick. And proper monitoring needed to stop corruption that plagues MGNREGA in some districts. Transparent implementation please!
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