One of the busiest aviation hubs in India, the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, finds itself at the center of a unique and challenging administrative deadlock. The 136-year-old Gauripur Jama Masjid, also known as the Bankra Mosque, which is situated within the airport premises, has become a focal point of concern for both airport authorities and security agencies. Currently, the airport administration has completely stopped issuing entry passes to visitors visiting the mosque, effectively bringing all prayer activities there to a temporary halt. The primary impetus behind this decision is the airport’s planned runway expansion and the strict security protocols that accompany such developments.
The Obstacle to Expansion
Airport officials emphasize that whenever the primary runway requires maintenance or repairs, it becomes imperative to utilize the second runway at its full capacity. Under the current geographical layout, the mosque stands as a major physical obstruction to the development of the runway and the construction of new taxiways. Security agencies have been documenting their concerns regarding this highly sensitive location for several years. The fundamental question remains: how exactly did a place of worship end up inside the high-security zone of an international airport?
Historical Context and British-era Decisions
The answer to this puzzle lies in administrative decisions made over a century ago. The Bankra Mosque predates the airport itself, having been constructed in the 1890s. At that time, the region was merely a rural village in North 24 Parganas, and the mosque served as a local place of worship. Nearly three decades later, in 1924, the British colonial government decided to develop an aerodrome in the area. The original airstrip was small, and its footprint did not conflict with the mosque at all.
Expanding Airport Boundaries
The situation evolved significantly in the post-independence era as the aviation sector expanded and the airport’s operational boundaries grew. A major turning point arrived in 1962, when the West Bengal government acquired surrounding land to facilitate airport expansion and handed it over to the Airport Authority. While large portions of the village were cleared, the mosque was allowed to remain in place through an agreement between the local population and the administration. This historical decision is now viewed as the root cause of the current security dilemma.
Sensitive Zones and Security Risks
Over time, the Kolkata airport evolved into one of the country's most significant hubs. Following the development of new runways and taxiways, the mosque now sits firmly within the operational area of the airport. Today, the structure is located just 300 meters from the second runway, an area categorized as one of the most sensitive zones in terms of flight operations. Previously, visitors were allowed to enter the premises after presenting their Aadhaar cards at the Birati Gate. From there, they would travel approximately 2.5 kilometers inside to reach the mosque.
Political figures such as BJP MLA Sourav Sikder argue that this system presents an unacceptable security risk, as the area falls under a 'Level-3 Security Zone' where VVIPs and the Prime Minister’s aircraft frequently operate. The mosque committee, however, is seeking to avoid a confrontational path. The committee has publicly stated that airport security and the seamless operation of flights are of supreme priority. According to the committee, the Airport Authority has proposed building a larger new mosque outside the premises, and they are willing to reach a final consensus agreeable to all stakeholders.
Previous Attempts at Resolution
This is not the first attempt to resolve the issue of the mosque’s proximity to the runway. In 2003, discussions were held between the then-Union Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain and West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. At that time, attempts were made to tweak the runway design rather than relocate the structure. Later, in 2019, the Airport Authority proposed building an underground tunnel to access the mosque, but the plan was shelved due to objections from security agencies. A special bus service was launched in 2023, but it also had to traverse the taxiway, causing operational difficulties.
The Road Ahead
Currently, the airport administration has stopped issuing entry passes and prayers have been temporarily halted. Multiple rounds of meetings have been held between the North 24 Parganas district administration, the Airport Authority, the mosque committee, and security agencies. The inspection phase is complete, and the Airport Security Committee is now conducting a final review. Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari has reiterated that national security and the safety of the Kolkata International Airport are non-negotiable. Siddiqullah Chowdhury, the president of the mosque committee, noted that while a ban on prayers might have been premature, the committee remains open to an amicable solution. This 136-year-old structure remains a testament to how an administrative decision from the colonial era has become a complex challenge for modern infrastructure, urban development, and national security.
