On February 5th, 2026, Shri Jyotirmay Singh Mahato asked the Minister of Civil Aviation about the proposal for upgrading the Chharra Airfield. Specifically, the query addressed the submission of a proposal from the West Bengal State Government to upgrade the World War II-era Chharra Airfield in the Purulia district into a commercial airport, along with related feasibility studies, the Airports Authority of India's (AAI) involvement, and any delays due to the State Government. In response, the Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, stated that on the request of the State Government of West Bengal, the AAI conducted a pre-feasibility study in 2023 for the development and upgradation of the existing airfield at Chharra and submitted the report to the State Government. As of February 5th, 2026, no proposal for the development of this airstrip had been received from the Government of West Bengal.
Key Entities Referenced
Chharra Airfield: World War II-era airfield in Purulia district, West Bengal, proposed for upgradation to a commercial airport.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): Entity involved in the planning process and conducted a pre-feasibility study for the development and upgradation of Chharra Airfield.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Ministry to which the question regarding the upgradation of Chharra Airfield is addressed.
Lok Sabha: Parliamentary body where the starred question regarding the Chharra Airfield upgrade was raised.
West Bengal: The state where Chharra Airfield is located, and whose government is involved in the proposed upgrade.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. : 100
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 5th February 2026 )
PROPOSAL FOR UPGRADATION OF CHHARRA AIRFIELD
100. SHRI JYOTIRMAY SINGH MAHATO
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the State Government of West Bengal has submitted any proposal for
upgrading the World War II-era Chharra Airfield in Purulia district into a commercial
airport and if so, the details thereof;
(b) if not, whether the absence of such a proposal has delayed further action in this
regard;
(c) whether any feasibility study, technical assessment or Detailed Project Report
(DPR) has been carried out for the said airfield and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether lack of requisite inputs or approvals from the State Government has
adversely affected its progress and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is involved in the planning process
and its role is presently constrained due to decisions pending from the State
Government and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) whether any proposal has been received from the State Government of West Bengal
in this regard, if so, the current status thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)
(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
******STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (F) IN RESPECT OF
LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 100 FOR ANSWER ON 05.02.2026
REGARDING "PROPOSAL FOR UPGRADATION OF CHHARRA AIRFIELD" BY
SHRI JYOTIRMAY SINGH MAHATO
(a) to (f): On the request of the State Government of West Bengal, Airports Authority
of India (AAI) carried out a Pre-feasibility study in 2023 for development and
upgradation of existing airfield at Chharra and submitted the report to the State
Government. No proposal for the development of this airstrip has so far been received
from the Government of West Bengal.