Unique Mosque Located at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport Raises Security Concerns

The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata is notable for having a mosque located near its operational runway, raising serious safety concerns. The Bankura Mosque, established in the 1890s, has become a focal point of debate among political leaders and civil aviation authorities. Recent discussions have highlighted the mosque's potential impact on aircraft operations, especially in emergencies. With calls for its relocation being rejected by the Muslim community, the situation continues to evolve, prompting questions about how the mosque came to be situated within the airport's boundaries. This ongoing controversy reflects broader issues of safety and political dynamics in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 4, 2025, 10:18 IST

Kolkata Airport's Distinctive Feature

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI) in Kolkata stands out as one of India's busiest airports, notable for housing a mosque within its operational area. This mosque, over 130 years old, is situated alarmingly close to the airport's operational runway. The presence of the Bankura Mosque, located less than 300 meters from the secondary runway, has become a significant security concern for civil aviation authorities, especially following recent high-profile aviation incidents that prompted a reevaluation of runway safety.

Historical Context of the Mosque

The Bankura Mosque predates the airport itself, having been established around 1890 on approximately 1,200 square feet of land. When the aerodrome was constructed in the early 20th century and expanded in the 1960s, the mosque inadvertently fell within the airport's extended area. This unusual situation led to the religious structure being included in the flight safety zone, a fact that authorities only recognized much later.

Ongoing Controversy Surrounding the Mosque

The mosque's proximity to the airport has sparked ongoing debates regarding safety. This issue resurfaced recently when questions from West Bengal BJP Chief, Sukanta Majumdar, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation's (MoCA) responses were made public. The MoCA acknowledged awareness of the mosque's location near the secondary runway. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya amplified this concern, stating that the mosque poses a risk to safe aircraft operations and could impact runway usage in emergencies.

For decades, various state and central governments have proposed relocating the mosque to a nearby site, but reports indicate that the Muslim community has rejected such requests.

BJP's Renewed Focus on the Mosque

With BJP leaders raising new concerns about the mosque, questions have emerged regarding how it came to be located within the airport. The discourse has shifted back to the inquiries made by Sukanta Majumdar and the ministry's responses, as well as how BJP leaders have framed these issues.

Amit Malviya took to social media to highlight that the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed the mosque's presence near the secondary runway, which he claims disrupts safe operations and shifts the runway threshold by 88 meters, potentially affecting emergency situations when the primary runway is unavailable. He emphasized that passenger safety should not be compromised for political appeasement, urging Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take note.

This is not the first time the Bankura Mosque has been at the center of controversy. Earlier this year, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari demanded immediate sealing of the airport's boundary, expressing concerns over security and the ongoing prayers being conducted on the premises. He criticized delays in the airport's expansion plans, attributing them to the mosque's relocation to another runway.