Balurghat Airport (IATA: RGH, ICAO: VEBG) is located 6 km (4 mi) from Balurghat and 34 km (21 mi) away from Gangarampur, a city in West Bengal, India.[1] The airport is currently not in operation.[3]
Balurghat Airport | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Operator | Airports Authority of India | ||||||||||
| Location | Balurghat, West Bengal, India | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 78 ft / 24 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 25°15′42″N 88°47′44″E / 25.26167°N 88.79556°E | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  RGH Location of airport in West Bengal  RGH RGH (India) | |||||||||||
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| Runways | |||||||||||
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History
editDuring the World War II, a temporary airport was built by the British in Balurghat for military needs. In the 1950s, the Surekha Air Service started flying from there until it was stopped during the 1965 India-Pakistan war. Finally, in 1984, Vayudoot operated out of the airport. But these flights stopped due to lack of navigation systems, lack of passengers, and financial losses.[4]
Facilities
editThe airport covers an area of 132.66 acres (53.69 ha) at an elevation of 78 feet (24 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 09/27 with a paved surface measuring 4,906 by 100 feet (1,495 m × 30 m).[1][5]
Extension
editThe Government of West Bengal had planned to launch air services from the Balurghat Airport in March 2018. The government had allocated around ₹11.35 crores for the up-gradation & extension of the air-strip, passenger lounge, air traffic, restroom of crews and pilots, need-based restaurants, refreshment counters. Airport Authority of India had visited the airport for approvals.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Balurghat Airport". Airports Authority of India. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009.
- ^ Airport information for Balurghat, India (VEBG / RGH) at Great Circle Mapper.
- ^ "Deal with Changi on Durgapur airport". The Telegraph. 28 February 2008. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013.
However, there are over 40 non-operational airports under the authority (Airports Authority of India). In Bengal, there are two of them — in Malda and Balurghat.
- ^ "বালুরঘাট বিমানবন্দরে উড়ান শুরু হতে আর বেশি দেরি নেই". m.bangla.eenaduindia.com moving. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- ^ "Full-fledged air services from Balurghat to kick off from April". Millenniumpost. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
- ^ "Balurghat airport likely to begin services April-end". 16 March 2018.