‘Displaces runway threshold by 88 metres’: Centre on Mosque inside Kolkata Airport

New Delhi: BJP Bengal State President and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya raised concerns over a mosque located within the operational area of Kolkata Airport, prompting the central government to officially confirm that the structure affects the secondary runway’s safe utilisation.

Responding to Bhattacharya’s query in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated that the mosque’s presence has displaced the northern threshold of the secondary runway by 88 metres.

According to the written reply, “Kolkata Airport has two parallel runways viz., primary runway (19L-01R) and secondary runway (19R-01L). The primary runway is designated for regular, day-to-day airport operations. The secondary runway is used only when the primary runway is unavailable, such as during scheduled maintenance activities. A mosque is situated in the approach area of secondary runway which displaces the northern side threshold by 88 m.”

Bhattacharya had sought to know why the structure had not been removed or relocated despite “repeated notices and safety concerns.”

On questions related to delays in demolishing old terminal buildings to pave the way for a new integrated terminal, the minister clarified that the approval process was still underway.

“The matter has been taken up by the Airports Authority of India with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) for obtaining the requisite approvals for demolition of the old terminal buildings at Kolkata Airport. The timeline for demolition and commencement of the new terminal project remains contingent upon these approvals,” the minister said.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, in June, raised serious concerns over the Mosque at Kolkata Airport.

Speaking to ANI, Adhikari said the situation posed a significant threat. “What is happening at Kolkata Airport is a matter of great concern from a security perspective. Prayers are being performed on the ground. The boundary of Kolkata Airport is not being sealed,” he said.

He also flagged the movement of outsiders inside and around the airport zone, stressing the risks given its international connectivity. "People from outside are coming and going, and there is also connectivity to China and Bangladesh from here. We have demanded that the boundary (of Kolkata Airport) be sealed," Adhikari added.

He attributed the delay in operating the new runway to an issue involving a religious structure. "The reason given is the relocation of the Mosque to the secondary runway. This cannot go on," Adhikari stated.