States » EastPosted at: Sep 20 2026 11:35PM


Four new airports to come up in Bengal under UDAN scheme: CM Suvendu Adhikari

Purulia, Sep 20 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday announced that the state government will sign an MoU with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on September 28 for the development of four airports under the Centre’s regional connectivity scheme UDAN.
The proposed airports will come up at Chharra in Purulia, Balurghat in South Dinajpur, Hasimara in Alipurduar and Kalaikunda in West Midnapore.
The state government will hand over the required land to the AAI for the projects.
A Rs 2,000-crore investment has been earmarked for the development of the Chharra airport near Purulia town.
Adhikari said the Transport Secretary and senior AAI officials had already visited the site and held meetings on the proposed domestic airport.
“The new aviation infrastructure will significantly boost tourism, trade and industrial growth in the district,” Adhikari said.
Addressing the first administrative meeting of the BJP government in Purulia, the chief minister also announced several development and tourism initiatives for the district.
The Surulia Mini Zoo will be expanded into a larger zoo with dedicated leopard enclosures, he said.
The government also plans to establish a conservation zone in the Jungle Mahal region of Purulia.
Adhikari said the state had already given its approval and that a formal announcement would be made soon.
The government also plans to promote religious tourism in Purulia.
Adhikari said the district was increasingly being integrated into the state’s tourism network, with the Vande Bharat Express already connecting the ‘Rupasi Bangla’ circuit.
On industrial development, Adhikari announced a plan to attract investments worth Rs 1 lakh crore to Purulia over the next five years.
Steel, cement, defence and solar energy have been identified as key sectors, with the chief minister describing Purulia as having significant potential for solar power generation.
“We have already received numerous solar project proposals, and land availability will not be an obstacle,” he said.
The chief minister also referred to the recent foundation stone laying for a Rs 4,000-crore greenfield steel plant by Amit Metaliks at Raghunathpur.
Adhikari said the government would protect the hills and forests of Purulia and announced a ban on commercial excavation in the region, contrasting the policy with that of the previous administration.
He also highlighted welfare initiatives in the district.
According to him, two lakh new houses have been approved under the Awas Scheme, with 16,000 beneficiaries having already received their second instalment.
More than 6.56 lakh women in Purulia have also received financial assistance under the Annapurna Scheme through direct benefit transfers. UNI DC/SAG NST CDS
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