On 1st December, the Ministry of Civil Aviation informed the Rajya Sabha that full utilisation of the secondary runway at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport continues to be obstructed because of a mosque located within the operational area. It has led to persistent safety and operational limitations, said the ministry.
Mosque shifts runway threshold by 88 metres
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol was responding to a question raised by MP Samik Bhattacharya. He stated that the mosque sits in the approach path of runway 19R-01L. As a result, the northern threshold has been displaced by 88 metres, which has restricted the runway’s effective length.
The government reiterated that the secondary runway is used only when the primary runway undergoes scheduled maintenance, but the obstruction continues to pose operational challenges. The reply did not elaborate on why removal or relocation has not been initiated despite repeated safety concerns.
Old terminal demolition awaits security clearance
Speaking on the delayed demolition of old terminal buildings, the ministry said that the Airports Authority of India has already taken up the matter with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. Once BCAS grants approval for the same, the timeline for demolition will be announced and the proposed integrated terminal project will commence.
