Row over airport wall continues

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Oct. 3: Demanding passage, locals today damaged the newly constructed boundary wall of the Malda airport for the second time in two days. Yesterday, hundreds of residents of slum areas under the CPI-M dominated Ward No 23 had flattened a part of the wall.Though the airport-in-charge sought police help for the protection of the wall, he refrained from lodging FIR on the issue, a senior police officer, said.The Malda SDO, Ms Arunima De, yesterday visited the spot to bring the situation under control and assured the residents that the district authorities would soon construct an alternative road seeking permission from the railway authorities.Speaking to The Statesman over telephone, Ms De, said: "I had visited the area six months ago to find out an alternative road for the local residents. We had sought no objection from the railway authorities for the construction of the road along the railway track. But they are yet to respnd. I have informed the matter to the additional district magistrate."The in-charge of Malda airport, Mr SK Chanda, said he had sought police help so that contractors could continue construction of boundary wall."The police, however, have so far not done anything," he alleged. "The contractors are feeling unsecured," Mr Chanda, added.The Malda additional superintendent of police, Mr SK Sarkar, said: "The contractors had sought police help to continue the construction of the boundary wall and we cooperated with them. The airport officials have not lodged any FIR over the incident."Expressing unhappiness over alleged administrative lapses and reluctance on part of the English Bazaar Municipality, the airport in-charge, Mr SK Chanda, said: "Despite several reminders from the AAI, the EBM has continued granting permission for construction of high-rise buildings on the eastern side of the airport. The Malda airport cannot be revived if the administration and the civic body officials do not cooperate with the AAI." The Malda DM, Mr CR Das, on his part, said: "I will try my best to ensure revival of the airport."