Bengal to take initiative to renovate small unused airfields, tweets CM

Kolkata: Under the guidance of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Bengal government is set to renovate unused airfields making them fit for operating light aircraft.

On International Civil Aviation Day, the Chief Minister tweeted: "Today is International Civil Aviation Day. Our government in # Bangla has taken the initiative for renovation of small unused airfields like Balurghat, Malda, Cooch Behar etc for operation of small aircraft services," she said, adding "Helicopter services between Kolkata and Gangasagar, Digha, Malda and Balurghat have been introduced. 27 helipads have been constructed at all district headquarters and other important locations."

The UN General Assembly in 1996 had proclaimed December 7 as the International Civil Aviation Day.

Meanwhile, AAI, RHQ, Eastern Region and Kolkata Airport observed International Civil Aviation Day, a move that aims to reinforce the importance of awareness in aviation.

Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Arup Raha inaugurated the programme which focused

on the theme 'Safe Take Offs', in the presence of Kaushik Bhattacharjee, Airport

Director, Kolkata, SP Yadav, Regional Executive Director, Eastern Region, senior AAI officials and representatives of different stakeholders of Airport like BCAS, IMD, Airlines, CISF etc.

During the programme important discussions on safety awareness and informative presentations were given by representatives of different stakeholders along with some presentations from the AAI officials.