Kolkata, July 11: Government officials announced on Saturday that the process of relocating the Bankra Mosque from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport area has commenced. This decision follows years of discussions aimed at expanding the airport’s runway.
As of Saturday, entry passes for accessing the mosque via the airport have been suspended. Prayers at the mosque have also been halted. Local MLA Sourav Sikdar was present in the area on Saturday morning and spoke with residents about the issue. He later stated that most individuals who come to pray at the mosque are in agreement with this decision.
Sikdar emphasized that airport security is a priority and urged that no inflammatory remarks be made regarding the situation. The 136-year-old Gauripur Jama Mosque, commonly referred to as Bankra Mosque, is located within the airport premises. Discussions about relocating the mosque have been ongoing for a long time. The Dum Dum Airport has two runways; the main runway is used for take-offs and landings, while the second runway is smaller. The mosque is situated a short distance from the main runway.
Experts suggest that if the primary runway is closed for repairs, it could hinder the take-off and landing of larger aircraft. Airport officials have indicated that the mosque’s proximity poses a risk to aircraft operations, and plans to expand the second runway have also been stalled. Although discussions about relocating the mosque have been taking place for decades, a definitive decision had not been reached until now.
Following a change in the state government, steps were taken to remove the mosque from within the NSCBI Airport. Meetings have been held among airport officials and administrative circles. Efforts to relocate the mosque had been underway for several days, culminating in the initiation of the process on Saturday. The presence of the mosque has raised several security concerns regarding the airport.
Since Saturday, the airport has ceased issuing entry passes from the airport gate, and prayers at the mosque have been suspended. Reports indicate that police and security guards have been deployed to maintain social harmony.
A meeting had already taken place at the North 24 Parganas District Magistrate’s office with local legislators and members of the mosque committee. A special team inspected the mosque, and discussions were held with the airport security committee. It was decided that a final decision regarding the 136-year-old Gauripur Jama Mosque would be made after Eid.
The mosque committee previously stated that they do not wish for their presence to cause any harm to the airport or disrupt security. Airport officials proposed building a larger mosque outside the airport. However, they also mentioned that they are not yet in a position to make a final decision about relocating.
Later, a resolution was reached, and the matter was settled peacefully.
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