Kolkata Airport Expansion Stalled? Runway Shifted by 88 Metres
A century-old mosque situated less than 300 metres from the secondary runway of Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport has triggered a fresh storm over aviation safety, expansion delays, and political fault lines.
The Bankra Mosque, built in the late 1890s, predates the airport by decades. But its location within the airport’s operational zone has long been flagged as a serious obstacle to the full use of the secondary runway — crucial during emergencies or when the main runway is unavailable.
The issue returned to the spotlight after BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya raised the matter in Parliament, questioning why the mosque had not been shifted despite multiple proposals over the years.
Centre Confirms Runway Impact
Responding in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the mosque “is situated in the approach area of the secondary runway,” forcing authorities to displace the runway’s northern threshold by 88 metres — a significant compromise that affects safe operations.
Aviation officials say the restricted approach path reduces the usable landing distance and limits installation of navigational aids, making the secondary runway less effective during low visibility or emergencies.
Relocation Attempts Stalled for Decades
Successive governments have explored shifting the mosque to a nearby site outside the high-security zone, but proposals reportedly ran aground due to resistance from local Muslim groups who consider the structure both historic and sacred.
The Airports Authority of India has also approached the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) seeking permissions to demolish old terminal buildings as part of a major expansion plan. However, the timeline for a new terminal remains uncertain, with the unresolved mosque issue continuing to complicate long-term planning.
The Kolkata Airport obstruction is not an accident, it’s the direct result of Mamata Banerjee’s shameless appeasement politics.
A mosque standing inside the operational area has forced an 88-metre runway displacement, compromising national security and endangering passengers and… pic.twitter.com/gi9w8m0YZd
— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) December 3, 2025
Political Flashpoint Ahead of Polls
With West Bengal heading towards elections, the dispute has morphed into a sharp political talking point.
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya accused the Mamata Banerjee government of “appeasement politics,” warning that passenger safety “cannot be compromised.”
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari described the mosque’s location as “a major security risk,” arguing that the airport boundary remains partially unsealed to allow access to the structure — a concern echoed by CISF officials.
A Heritage–Security Collision
While the primary runway continues to handle most commercial traffic, aviation experts caution that the handicapped secondary runway could pose risks during fog-heavy winters, flight diversions, or emergency landings.
For Kolkata residents, the mosque’s presence inside airport grounds has been an open secret for decades — a quirk of history that is now colliding with modern aviation demands, political posturing, and religious sensitivities.
Whether the renewed national scrutiny will finally lead to a resolution — relocation, redesign, or a negotiated compromise — remains to be seen. For now, the mosque in the middle of Kolkata airport continues to stand at the centre of a complex debate over safety, heritage, and governance.
