Move to relocate 136-year-old Gauripur Jama Masjid inside Kolkata airport gains momentum

Efforts to relocate the nearly 136-year-old Gauripur Jama Masjid located inside the Kolkata airport premises have gained momentum following administrative developments in West Bengal. According to the report, the mosque lies close to the airport’s secondary runway and has long been identified as an operational and aviation safety concern affecting international flight movement. A joint inspection was carried out by the district administration and the Airports Authority of India, followed by a meeting with the mosque committee at the office of the District Magistrate of North 24 Parganas.

Aviation regulations require permanent structures to be at least 240 meters away from an active runway, while the mosque is located at a distance of approximately 165 meters. Airport authorities stated that due to its proximity, the runway’s touchdown point has been shifted, resulting in reduced usable runway length. This has created operational constraints for wide-body aircraft such as Boeing 787 and Airbus A330 and has also affected plans for advanced Instrument Landing System installation during winter operations.

Security and aviation agencies have also raised concerns regarding emergency landing scenarios due to the presence of the structure. According to airport officials, the issue has persisted over several years, with previous administrations failing to reach a resolution due to its sensitive nature. The matter has now re-emerged for renewed consideration following administrative changes at both state and central levels.

Officials stated that discussions are ongoing with stakeholders, including the mosque committee, which has indicated that the matter requires consultation with higher religious authorities. The committee representative said the decision is beyond their direct jurisdiction and suggested engagement with bodies such as Darul Uloom Deoband and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. Authorities have stated that further steps will depend on consultations and technical assessments related to aviation safety requirements.