Kolkata: West Bengal will sign an agreement with the Centre on September 28 for setting up an airport in Purulia district under the UDAN scheme, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said.
The state has completed preparations for the airport and has already applied for the required licence. The project is expected to improve air connectivity while supporting tourism, infrastructure and industrial development in Purulia.
Airport to Strengthen Purulia Connectivity
The airport will be developed under the Centre’s Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme, which aims to improve air connectivity to underserved regions.
Adhikari said officials from the state Transport Department and Civil Aviation Department had reviewed the preparations for the project. The agreement with the Centre is scheduled to be signed on September 28.
The improved connectivity is expected to make Purulia more accessible for tourists, businesses and investors while supporting the district’s wider development plans.
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₹1 Lakh Crore Investment Plan
The Chief Minister said the state is looking to develop Purulia as a major industrial hub and expects investments of around ₹1 lakh crore over the next year.
Proposals are reportedly in the pipeline for projects in sectors including:
- Defence
- Steel
- Cement
- Solar energy
Adhikari also referred to a ₹5,000-crore project in Raghunathpur, for which he said the foundation ceremony had already been conducted.
According to him, solar projects are among the areas seeing the highest demand for investment in the district.
Tourism to Get a Push
Alongside industrial development, the state government plans to expand Purulia’s tourism potential.
Adhikari said the existing mini zoo would be expanded, while forest department guest houses would also be renovated. The government expects these measures to support religious and forest tourism in the district.
Improved air connectivity through the proposed Purulia airport could further support these tourism plans by making the region easier to access for visitors from outside the district.
Focus on Jobs and Welfare
The Chief Minister also said the government would focus on ensuring that local residents benefit from the development taking place in Purulia.
He said the government would work towards providing employment opportunities to households while ensuring that eligible residents receive benefits under welfare schemes.
On housing, Adhikari said a list for construction of around two lakh new houses had been submitted. He also said ₹60,000 had been provided to 16,000 applicants as the second instalment under the housing scheme.
He added that 6.56 lakh women had received their August payments under the government’s Annapurna Yojana.
Purulia on Development Priority List
Adhikari also spoke about the district’s political significance and said Purulia would remain among his priority areas for development.
He said the government’s focus would be on combining better connectivity with industrial investment, tourism development, infrastructure expansion and welfare delivery.
The proposed airport under UDAN is therefore being positioned as part of a wider development push rather than as a standalone transport project.
If the agreement and subsequent licensing process proceed as planned, improved air connectivity could give Purulia another link to larger economic and tourism centres, while supporting the district’s plans for industrial growth.
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