New Proposal Emerges to Name Bagdogra Airport Terminal After Rajbanshi Leader Chila Roy

KalimNews, April 3, 2025 :  The question of what to name the new terminal at Bagdogra Airport has sparked significant discussions and proposals ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid its foundation stone virtually. Various leaders have voiced their opinions, with different communities and political groups advocating for names that hold historical, cultural, and regional significance.

BJP MLA from the Madgara-Naxalbari constituency, Anandamay Barman, has formally requested Union Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, to name the under-construction terminal after the Rajbanshi leader Biswa Mahabir Chila Roy. Barman presented his case in a letter to the minister, highlighting the historical importance of Chila Roy, also known as Shukladhwaj. Chila Roy, the third son of Maharaja Biswa Singha, the founder of the Koch-Rajbanshi dynasty, played a key military role in the Kamtapur Kingdom and earned recognition for his strategic prowess during the 16th century.

Barman emphasized that at least 13 Rajbanshi families had donated land for the establishment of the Bagdogra Airport in its early stages, further reinforcing the community's connection to the region’s development. In addition, the MLA pointed out that Chila Roy's legacy as a prominent historical figure in the region warranted such an honor.

However, this proposal is not the only one making waves. Earlier, Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Zimba urged Prime Minister Modi to name the terminal after Gorkha leader Subash Ghising, advocating for the terminal to be called Subash Ghisingh International Airport. Zimba, who also serves as the Secretary General of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), underscored Ghising’s role in uniting the Gorkha community, particularly during the challenging 1986 period, when he was instrumental in establishing the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. Ghising's leadership, according to Zimba, greatly benefited the Gorkhas, helping integrate their aspirations into the national mainstream and earning him the prestigious Indira Gandhi National Integration Award.

Moreover, other voices have weighed in on the matter, including calls to name the terminal after revered figures such as Rabindranath Tagore or Tenzing Norgay. These varying proposals have sparked heated debates, both online and offline, about who should be honored with the naming of the new terminal.

The discussions surrounding the naming of the Bagdogra Airport terminal are set to continue, with political figures from various regions and communities advocating for names that honor figures they believe have significantly contributed to the region's history and development. As the debates intensify, the final decision on the name will be closely watched, with many expecting it to have lasting cultural and political significance for the people of North Bengal and beyond.