Malda Airport in a dilapidated condition, MP North Maldah approaches the Centre to revive the dream of flying
Suddenly, a murmur… sound. ‘The plane is going… the plane is going….’ The children jumped up and stood on the roof of the house. The elders were not left out either. Everyone said, ‘That one…, that one….’
The planes of Kolkata, Siliguri, Delhi, Mumbai are now within reach. But, even after so many years of independence, flying is still a dream for the people of Malda. Despite repeated attempts, the reality of the dream has remained elusive for the people of Malda, i.e. Gourabanga. Despite the promises of everyone from Gani Khan Chowdhury to Buddhadev Bhattacharya to Mamata Banerjee, sometimes people have to gather on the roof to see the ‘Hawaii ship’.
Now, the dream of flying has been rekindled by Khagen Murmu, BJP MP from North Malda. He met Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu. Mr. Murmu claims that he has clearly stated, 'Either the old airport will have to be opened. Or look for new land for the airport.'
On the other hand, Lawyer of Malda, Debesh Saha has filed a public interest litigation in the Calcutta High Court seeking an airport. Calcutta High Court lawyer Kalyan Chakraborty said, 'It will appear before the Chief Justice in the second week of January.'
On Saturday morning, there was some fog in Malda city. A few people were busy taking a morning walk at the Malda airport on the western edge of the city. The main gate of the entrance has collapsed. In the meantime, people from the area are walking or cycling to work. Some are doing physical exercise, yoga. On one side stands the dilapidated office of the airport. However, everyone in Malda wants the airport to be opened.
According to Khagen Murmu, BJP MP from North Malda, Bagdogra is 250 kilometers away from Malda on one side, and Dumdum Airport ( Netaji Subhash International Airport) is more than 350 kilometers away on the other. As a result, not only Malda, but also the people of the three districts of Gourbanga are facing harassment and have to pay extra. The MP said, ‘Once again, I have gone to the departmental Union Minister and demanded Malda airport.’
Be it MPs, lawyers or the general public, everyone has the same demand that flights should start from Malda. Because, if the dream of this airport is realized, not only Gaurbanga, but also the people of Jharkhand and Bihar will benefit. Because a large part of Malda district borders those two neighboring states. Jayant Kundu, president of Malda Merchant Chamber of Commerce, laments, ‘We have repeatedly appealed but have not received any results. But an airport in Malda is very important. Because, apart from the businessmen, the people of Gaurbanga depend on South India for medical treatment.’
The airport stands on 140 acres of land on the western edge of Malda city. At one time, weekly flights of the Air India Company used to operate through this airport. It was closed by 1989. Then the Kolkata-bound copter was started on an experimental basis. Although it was stopped within a few days. That was the end.
Then the votes actually came true as promised by the leaders. Nothing happened. That's why even today, the people of Malda gather on the roofs after hearing the sound of murmuring...
