Bagdogra airport issue yet to be resolved

Siliguri: Despite assurances and promises from the Central and the state governments, the expansion for the Bagdogra airport hangs in balance.
Some months back, the Central minister for aviation, Mr Praful Patel, said at the airport itself that in 2008 it would become a full-fledged international airport.
The state government has also repeatedly declared that everything would be done in this direction.
The airports authority, however, is unwilling to say anything on the issue as the matter is being pursued through the political means. Yet, it has been learnt through the airport sources that the real stumbling block is the dispute between the Centre and the state government over the issue of acquiring land for the expansion. Fifty acres of land has already been earmarked for the project.
But the real question is who will buy the land.
The Centre insists that it is for the state government to buy the required land, while the rest of the expenses would be borne by it.
However, the state government is unwilling to accept the Centre's argument, saying that the latter cannot shirk its responsibility.
01/01/08 The Statesman

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Jan 2008, New Jan 2007