"Kolkata Airport is not only the gateway of eastern and north-eastern India, but also entire South-East Asia and developed air connectivity here will help promote development as well as tourism, besides creating opportunities for employment," Singh told reporters at the state secretariat after a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
"Ongoing modernisation of the airport here is nearing completion and the new terminal building with increased capacity of four million passengers from the existing one million will be commissioned well within four months," he said.
Stressing on trade and tourism potential of the state, Singh hoped that the Airports Authority of India would be benefitted by developed air-connectivity in the state.
The modernisation of the airport would cost Rs 2,300 crore, AAI director B P Sharma said.
Singh, when asked about foreign direct investment in aviation which is yet to be cleared by the union cabinet, said there was no discussion with the chief minister on FDI.
He said that development of several airstrips and helipads to develop air transport in the state and promotion of trade and tourism, figured in his discussion with her.
Banerjee said that she urged the Union minister to commission the new Kolkata Airport terminal before the Durga Puja festival, extend the Cooch Behar airport and renovate the one at Malda.
She also requested Singh to see to it that the number of flights, both domestic and international, were increased from Kolkata.
The chief minister said land required for Malda airport would be provided by the Ministry of Railways. "I shall talk to the Raiways authority. I have also sought financial help from the Planning Commission."
Banerjee also suggested setting up of helipads at Balurghat, Sundarbans, Digha and Haldia to boost trade and tourism and help generate employment in the state.
