Mamata asks AAI to commission new terminal by June

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today asked the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to commission the new International Terminal of the NSC Bose International Airport in Kolkata by June to boost the state’s development programmes. Banerjee said this after an unscheduled visit to the under construction terminal building before taking a flight to Delhi to attend a meeting with the Planning Commission.[caption id=“attachment_270638” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Improving transport infrastructure. Image courtesy PIB”]  [/caption] Transport Minister Madan Mitra, who accompanied her during the visit, said Banerjee was happy with the progress of work and expressed hope that the modernised airport would bring more investment in the state and encourage trade and commerce in the entire eastern and northeastern region. Security personnel were taken by surprise with her unscheduled visit, said Mitra who briefed reporters on the visit. Mitra said the state government was committed to develop transport in the state keeping pace with the development in air service. “All 350 blocks of the state would be connected with the district headquarters by nearly 2000 state buses”, Mitra said, elaborating his plan to improve state transport’s image. Four air-conditioned trams would ply before the Durga Puja this year to attract tourists and corporate sector. “While two AC trams will have banquet facilities, one will have a cafeteria and the other a restaurant,” he said. Mitra said he would meet the oil companies to set up at least eight petrol pumps with shopping arcade, restaurant, toilet and coffee bar here on transport department’s land. Water taxis would also be introduced on the Hooghly for easy access to many places of interest on either sides of the river, he said. PTI