Bagdogra Airport In North Bengal To Get A New Integrated Terminal

Wepen, June 23, 2019: In the coming two years Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal is all set to get a new integrated terminal. The prominence of the airport is increasing by the day with the tourist footfall in the region.

Siliguri being the gateway to North East India, Nepal, Bhutan as well as the transit point for tourists visiting North Bengal and Sikkim, the importance of the Airport is increasing by the day.

The increase in passengers in the Airport has given it the status of a “major airport” in the country. There are 22 major airports in India.

The importance of North Bengal as a tourist destinations could be gauged to an extent by the increase in passengers in the Bagdogra Airport.

“Bagdogra Airport has evolved as a major airport in the country.

“A major airport handles over 20 lakh passengers annually. Last year Bagdogra witnessed a footfall of 29 lakh passengers” stated Subramani P, Director, Bagdogra Airport.

Bagdogra was designed as a small airport with a passenger handling capacity of 75000 passengers annually.

“There is a major space constraint. However the state government is expected to hand over 105 acres of land for the expansion of the airport soon” stated the Director.

If land is made available, in the next two years Bagdogra will have a new integrated terminal which will incorporate domestic and international facilities along with a multi level car park. From the present 5 aircraft base it will be upgraded to a 14 aircraft base.

Bagdogra at present is connected to 9 destinations. 37 domestic flights and 1 international flight operate from this airport.

“At present there are 16 counters which will be increased to 20 counters. We are trying to get in new international flights from neighbouring countries like Dhaka, Bangladesh and Kathmandu, Nepal” added the Director.

Soon the security area (passenger area) is scheduled to undergo expansion. “We will be extending the security area by 822 sq meters. Around 250 passengers can be accommodated comfortably in this additional space” stated the Director.

At present with heavy space constraints, long queues in the check in counters, dearth of sitting arrangement has emerged as a major woe for the passengers using the airport.