Old mosque near Kolkata international airport to be removed!

Despite repeated warnings from airport authorities to the government, no action was taken for years against the mosque allegedly posing a danger to aircraft operations.

Kolkata – Efforts have intensified to relocate a decades-old mosque situated in a highly sensitive zone near the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. A joint team of senior officials from the district administration and airport authorities recently inspected the site. Subsequently, an important meeting was held between representatives of the state administration and the mosque committee, during which emphasis was placed on shifting the mosque elsewhere in view of airport security concerns.

The 136-year-old Gauripur Jame Masjid, also known as “Bankra Masjid,” was once located in a largely isolated area. However, due to continuous expansion of the airport over the years, it now lies very close to the runway in a highly sensitive operational zone.

🔥 Years of Inaction Over!

Bankra Mosque inside Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata Finally Ordered to Be Removed

Despite repeated warnings from airport authorities that the structure posed a danger to aircraft operations, the government failed to act.… pic.twitter.com/Jmyw13REf0

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) May 24, 2026

Major concern for aircraft safety!

During a meeting held at the office of the District Magistrate of North 24 Parganas, airport officials reportedly explained through maps how the existence of the mosque was creating serious technical and safety challenges for aircraft movement.

Former MLA Siddiqullah Chowdhury, who attended the meeting on behalf of the mosque committee, said that the committee alone could not take a decision and that larger Muslim organizations should also be consulted.

Airport Director Vikram Singh stated that the mosque inside the airport premises had been a subject of dispute for a long time. He added that airport authorities had repeatedly informed the government about the operational difficulties caused by its presence and expressed hope that ongoing discussions would soon yield a positive outcome.

Worshippers transported by bus after security checks!

At present, around 10 to 25 local Muslims visit the mosque 5 times a day for prayers. Personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force conduct thorough security checks at the entrance gate, after which worshippers are transported by a special bus across the runway to the mosque and brought back afterward. On Fridays, the number of worshippers reportedly rises to around 80. (What extreme appeasement and unnecessary complications! It is only because of excessive appeasement of Muslims that this was allowed to continue until now. Any rational and patriotic citizen would feel that this mosque must now be removed! – Editor)