Hasimara Civil Airport Project Moves Forward After Long Delay in Development
Hasimara Civil Airport Project News
Jalpaiguri, May 26, 2026: The long-awaited civil airport project at Hasimara in West Bengal is finally moving forward after facing delays for nearly four years. The development comes after important land-related hurdles were cleared, giving new hope for better air connectivity in North Bengal.
The Central Government had approved the Hasimara civil airport project under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme several years ago. However, despite the approval, the project could not progress smoothly due to issues involving land acquisition and infrastructure expansion.
Now, with the state government reportedly clearing the required land transfer process, authorities are hopeful that work on the airport can move ahead more quickly.
Hasimara is located in the Alipurduar district of North Bengal and holds both commercial and strategic importance. The area is close to popular tourist destinations such as the Dooars forests, tea gardens, and wildlife sanctuaries like Jaldapara National Park.
The region currently depends mostly on Bagdogra Airport near Siliguri for commercial air travel. Passengers from districts like Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar often travel long distances by road to catch flights.
A functioning civil airport at Hasimara would significantly reduce travel time and improve accessibility for residents, tourists, and business travellers.
According to reports, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) required additional land near the existing Indian Air Force station at Hasimara to operate civilian aircraft services. The land is needed mainly for runway expansion and other aviation infrastructure necessary for handling commercial passenger flights.
The delay in transferring and acquiring this land had slowed down the project for years. With the latest clearance, the process of airport development is expected to speed up.
Officials believe that the airport will be able to handle narrow-body aircraft such as Airbus A320 planes once the required upgrades are completed.
The airport is expected to bring major economic and tourism benefits to North Bengal. The Dooars region attracts thousands of tourists every year because of its forests, tea estates, rivers, and wildlife tourism.
Improved air connectivity can increase tourist arrivals and support local businesses such as hotels, transport operators, restaurants, and travel agencies.
The tea industry in the region may also benefit from better transportation facilities and easier access for business travellers and investors.
Local residents are hopeful that the airport project will also create new job opportunities and support overall regional development.
Hasimara already houses an important Indian Air Force base, making the location strategically important for national security as well. The plan is to operate civilian flights alongside existing military operations, similar to several dual-use airports in India.
The project is also seen as part of India’s larger effort to improve regional aviation connectivity under the UDAN scheme, which aims to make air travel more affordable and accessible in smaller cities and remote regions.
Although the land hurdle has been cleared, several steps are still required before commercial operations can begin. Authorities must complete runway improvements, terminal facilities, security arrangements, and aviation clearances.
Despite the remaining work, the recent progress has generated optimism that Hasimara Airport may soon become an important aviation hub for North Bengal.
The project represents a major step toward improving transportation infrastructure and boosting economic growth in eastern India.
