AAI submits report to Bengal government on Bagdogra airport expansion

SILIGURI: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) presented a detailed report to the Bengal government for the expansion of Bagdogra airport in Siliguri. The report is for the building of ancillary infrastructure and the acquisition of land for the expansion.

Over the past five years, the number of passengers is increasing rapidly. So, it had become pertinent to expand the infrastructure of the airport, said AAI officials.

The official further said that the Government of Bengal has agreed to acquire 110 acres of land for the expansion of the airport. The AAI has presented the detailed information to the government including drawings and designs of the proposed terminal building, parking space for cars, parking bays for aircraft and other infrastructure that would come up.

The state, however, had told the AAI that it would have to bear the cost of compensation to be paid to those from whom land would be acquired. Last November the AAI agreed to pay Rs 25 crore, which is to be paid to a tea company whose leased-out land the government will take back.

Currently, the airport can handle around 400 passengers an hour, the airport needs a building that can accommodate around 1,000 passengers an hour, added AAI official.