Kolkata is set to get a second airport as the West Bengal government announced an ambitious aviation infrastructure expansion plan in its 2026 budget. The proposed greenfield airport will be developed near Kalyani in Nadia district, with around 1,000 acres of land to be earmarked for the project. The new airport is expected to ease congestion at the existing Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and support the region’s growing passenger and cargo traffic.
Presenting the state budget, Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said the project forms part of a broader push to strengthen transport and economic infrastructure across the state. The proposed airport near Kalyani is expected to improve connectivity for residents of Nadia and nearby districts while enhancing Kolkata’s role as a major aviation hub in eastern India.
In addition to the second Kolkata airport, the government has proposed three new airports in Purulia, Malda and Balurghat under the Centre’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme. The initiative aims to improve air access to underserved regions and promote tourism, trade and investment.
The announcement marks one of the biggest aviation infrastructure proposals in the state’s recent history. Officials believe the new airport and airfields will generate employment opportunities, attract investments and support long-term economic growth. The Kalyani airport project has also been highlighted as a key component of the government’s vision to modernise transport infrastructure and accommodate rising air travel demand in the coming years.