Kolkata Airport: Why a Mosque Near the Runway Limits Flight Operations

A long-standing commercial aviation safety debate has resurfaced at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU). The issue centers on a mosque located dangerously close to an operational runway. Official government responses confirm the structure is a major Kolkata airport runway obstruction. This obstruction affects the full utilization of the airport’s secondary runway.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) recently confirmed the issue in Parliament. The mosque sits within the operational area of the airport. It is less than 300 meters from the secondary runway (19R-01L).

Operational Limitations and Safety Concerns

The presence of the structure has a direct, measurable impact on flight operations. According to the MoCA, the mosque is in the approach area of the secondary runway. This forces a secondary runway threshold displacement of 88 meters on the northern side. This displacement restricts the runway’s effective length and operational capacity.

Impact on Critical Operations

While the primary runway (19L-01R) handles most daily traffic, the secondary runway is critical. It is essential during scheduled maintenance of the main runway. It is also vital during emergencies or adverse weather conditions, such as dense fog. The primary runway is equipped with Category (CAT) III Instrument Landing System (ILS). This allows operations in very low visibility. However, the secondary runway only has CAT I ILS at one end. The mosque’s location hinders the installation of the necessary Localiser equipment for ILS at the northern end. This prevents flights from landing from that direction during poor visibility.

Furthermore, the structure compromises the required Runway End Safety Area (RESA). Aviation safety standards, often guided by ICAO guidelines, require a minimum RESA of 240 meters. The mosque is reportedly only 165 meters from the runway end. This creates a significant risk should an aircraft overrun or undershoot the landing strip. This is a major concern for commercial aviation safety debate.

Historical Context and Relocation Deadlock

The mosque, known as the Bankra mosque or Gouripur Jame Masjid, predates the airfield. It was built in the 1890s when the area was a village. When the airport expanded in the mid-twentieth century, the mosque remained. It was reportedly protected under land acquisition agreements.

• 2003 Controversy: Authorities chose to divert the runway instead of removing the structure. This was despite concerns over blocked runway extension.
• 2019 Proposal: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) proposed a tunnel from Jessore Road. This would allow worshippers access while freeing the land above for a taxiway. This plan failed to receive necessary security clearance.

Attempts by the AAI and political representatives to relocate the mosque have met with resistance. Its managing committee has opposed the move. The mosque also sees regular worshippers inside the airport’s operational zone. This adds layers of security and logistical complexity for airport management. The ongoing deadlock impacts airport operational flexibility.

Broader Infrastructure and Regulatory Impact

The unresolved obstruction issue is now affecting broader AAI airport expansion plans at CCU. The airport has seen significant passenger growth. It is one of India's busiest aviation hubs. The expansion includes the delayed demolition of old terminal buildings. It also includes pending timelines for new integrated terminal development. The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that the AAI is awaiting approvals from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). These approvals are necessary to proceed with the demolition. Delays caused by unresolved land and security clearances increase congestion. This restricts aircraft movement and inconveniences passengers.

New Regulatory Context

This situation highlights the need for clear regulatory action. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and MoCA recently released the draft Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions) Rules, 2025. These rules aim to empower authorities to act swiftly. They target structures that violate height restrictions or pose flight safety hazards near airports. While these rules follow a separate tragic incident, they create a new framework. This framework could potentially be used to resolve the long-standing Kolkata airport runway obstruction. The aviation industry is closely watching this flight operation news aviation news for a resolution that balances heritage and modern safety standards.