West Bengal has signed a memorandum of understanding under the UDAN regional-connectivity programme covering airport projects at Purulia, Balurghat, Hasimara and Kalaikunda.
What happened
The agreement brings the Government of West Bengal, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India into a formal implementation framework for four regional aviation projects.
The announced scope covers civil enclaves at Hasimara and Kalaikunda, expansion of the existing facility at Balurghat and development of a new airport at Purulia. Kalaikunda has a 2,700-metre runway that can support the proposed civil-enclave development.
The signing is an MoU-stage development. It should not be described as construction commencing or the airports becoming operational.
Why it matters
The four locations extend the regional-connectivity conversation beyond Kolkata. Better air access could support executive movement, tourism and business links across western Bengal, North Bengal and the state’s industrial corridors.
The agreement is also a step towards defining responsibilities between the state, the Centre and AAI. The commercial significance will become clearer once individual project scopes, capital requirements and delivery schedules are published.
What to watch next
- Land transfer and site-readiness updates
- Detailed project reports and project-specific capital estimates
- Tendering and construction timelines
- Airline interest and route awards under UDAN
- Separate operating plans for each location
Source note
Primary evidence: Akashvani/NewsOnAir, “Centre, West Bengal sign MoU for four new airports to boost air connectivity”, 5 October 2026.
Verification note: The reported ₹29,000 crore figure relates to a wider ten-year West Bengal UDAN programme. It is not the stated cost of these four airport projects.