In a significant move aimed at enhancing aviation safety and infrastructure development, the Kolkata Airport Authority has decided to relocate the 136-year-old Bankra Mosque, also known as the Gouripur Jame Masjid, situated near the secondary runway of the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.
The decision, confirmed today by airport officials, comes in response to longstanding concerns over the mosque’s proximity to the runway, which falls short of international aviation safety norms requiring a minimum separation of around 240 metres. Currently located approximately 165 metres from the secondary runway, the structure has hindered the expansion of the runway, installation of advanced Instrument Landing Systems and restricted full operational use of the runway by larger aircraft.
Airport Director Vikram Singh indicated that the relocation forms part of a broader redevelopment project, which also includes the demolition of the old terminal building after the completion of this year’s Hajj operations. Authorities have proposed constructing a larger and modern mosque outside the airport premises to address religious sensitivities while facilitating necessary upgrades. This initiative is expected to boost the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity to 40 million once completed.
Notably, not just the mosque inside the airport, but a temple located near the airport police station will also be shifted as part of the upgradation plan of the airport. “It is not just about the mosque. A temple located near the airport will also be relocated. There will be no compromise when it comes to development,” said Sourav Sikdar, the BJP MLA from Uttar Dum Dum.
The issue was discussed earlier this month during Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s first meeting with administrative officers and MLAs at Nabanna. The CM had said that steps would be taken to convince stakeholders to allow the removal of the mosque in the interest of the airport’s expansion and aviation safety.
The Bankra Mosque, which stands within the high-security operational area of the airport, has been a subject of discussion for over three decades. Successive governments had previously deferred action, but renewed efforts gained momentum following coordination between the state administration and central authorities after the BJP came to power in the state, with joint inspections conducted by the Airports Authority of India and district officials.
Officials have emphasised that the move prioritises flight safety, security, and the airport’s expansion to meet growing passenger demands in eastern India. Consultations with the mosque committee and other stakeholders are ongoing to ensure the process is handled with due sensitivity. This development is seen as a key step towards transforming Kolkata’s airport into a more efficient and world-class facility.
At present, the mosque located in the high-security operational zone of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport operates under the strict oversight of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Only a limited number of local residents from the Bankra area, primarily 10 to 25 devotees, are permitted to offer prayers five times a day. On Fridays, the congregation rises to around 80 worshippers, with higher footfall during Ramzan.
Access is tightly regulated, devotees must register their names, produce identification, and undergo thorough security screening at the airport gate on Jessore Road before being transported via an escorted shuttle bus service along a designated route to the mosque and back. This arrangement, which includes a bus service introduced in 2023 to replace earlier walking access through a corridor, ensures that civilian movement does not interfere excessively with airport operations, though it still poses logistical challenges near the taxiway and runway.
The modest structure remains a place of worship exclusively for these local devotees, with no general public entry allowed. However, after the mosque is relocated outside the high security airport premises, it will be opened for all devotees.
