Fresh Efforts Begin to Relocate Mosque Inside Kolkata Airport Operational Area
Kolkata Airport News
Fresh efforts to relocate a mosque situated inside the operational area of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport have gained momentum following the recent political changes in the state government.
Airport authorities and district officials have restarted discussions regarding the shifting of the 136-year-old Gouripur Jame Masjid, popularly known as the Bankra mosque, which is located close to the airport’s secondary runway.
According to officials, a joint inspection of the mosque was conducted on Tuesday by representatives from the district administration and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This was followed by a meeting on Wednesday between state authorities and representatives of the mosque committee.
During the meeting, airport officials reportedly explained the need to relocate the mosque because of concerns related to flight safety, airport security, and operational limitations.
The mosque currently lies around 165 meters north of the airport’s secondary runway and approximately 150 meters inside the airport boundary wall. Aviation rules reportedly require buildings to maintain a minimum distance of about 240 meters from the runway for safety reasons.
Officials say the mosque’s location has been a concern for the airport for more than three decades. According to airport authorities, its presence affects flight operations and limits the use of the secondary runway.
Vikram Singh, the airport director, reportedly said authorities are hopeful of finding a positive solution after the latest round of discussions.
One of the major concerns highlighted by officials is that the mosque lies within the flight approach path. Because of this, the touchdown point of the secondary runway had earlier been shifted southward by around 88 meters.
Airport officials explained that while the shortened runway length remains sufficient for narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, it is not adequate for handling larger wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A330.
Authorities also stated that the mosque’s location creates operational challenges during poor weather conditions, especially in winter fog.
The airport’s primary runway is equipped with advanced instrument landing systems that allow aircraft to land in low visibility conditions. However, officials claim similar systems cannot be installed on the secondary runway because of the mosque’s proximity.
Airport authorities have also raised concerns regarding emergency landing situations and overall airside security management.
At present, devotees visiting the mosque must pass through strict security procedures. According to reports, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) checks worshippers at the airport gate on Jessore Road before transporting them by bus to the mosque and back.
Daily prayers reportedly attract around 10 to 25 local devotees, while Friday prayers see attendance rise to nearly 80 people.
Representatives of the mosque committee have stated that they have always cooperated with airport authorities and security agencies. However, they also clarified that they are not in a position to independently decide on relocating the religious structure.
Mosque committee member Abul Kalam reportedly said the matter should be discussed with major Muslim organizations such as Darul Uloom Deoband, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind before any final decision is taken.
The issue has remained politically sensitive for many years. Previous attempts by the civil aviation ministry to shift the mosque reportedly did not move forward under earlier state governments.
Now, with political alignment between the state and central governments, airport officials believe there may be renewed momentum toward resolving the matter.
The discussions are expected to continue as authorities attempt to balance aviation safety requirements, religious sensitivities, and community concerns surrounding the historic mosque.
