A decision by the Indian Air Force to keep the runway at the Bagdogra airport closed for a fortnight in April this year has prompted tourism industry stakeholders to write to defence minister Rajnath Singh, urging him to keep the runway open till the afternoons or carry out the necessary works during the monsoon when inflow of tourists becomes a trickle in the region.

On January 11, the IAF informed the Airport Authority of India (AAI) in writing that the runway would remain closed from April 11 to April 25 for “resurfacing of the final layer of the flexible portion of runway.”

Unlike most other airports, Bagdogra airport is a civil enclave where the IAF takes care of the runway and the air traffic control (ATC).

It may be mentioned that over the past few months, repairing work of the runway is in progress but flight operations were allowed from 8am to 5pm.

Samrat Sanyal, the general secretary of Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network (HTDN), who has sent the letter to the defence minister, said there is no doubt that repairing and resurfacing works are necessary in the runway but simultaneously, a complete closure of flight operations for a fortnight would cause huge inconveniences for people dwelling across north Bengal and even for those residing in the neighbouring states of Bihar and Sikkim.

“It is from the first week of April that tourists start arriving in the region to visit the hill stations during the summer months. A sudden halt in flight movements would be yet another setback for the tourism industry that has taken a beating for the past two years due to the pandemic. All of us are expecting a good turnout of tourists during the upcoming season but if flights remain suspended in Bagdogra, it would only add to our distress,” said Sanyal.

Along with Singh, associations of the industry have also sent letters to the Union civil aviation minister and to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting their intervention.

“We want the Centre to reconsider the decision and provide a window so that flights can run on those days. Also, the option to close the runway during June and July when lesser tourists come in the region can also be explored,” said a hotel owner based in Darjeeling.

In Bagdogra, around 30 flights operate every day and during tourist seasons, close to 10,000 passengers use the airport in a day. Sources in AAI however, said the resurfacing work of the runway needs to be carried out before the monsoons. “Once the work is done, the runway would be ready for another 20 years or so,” said a source.