A security dispute has resurfaced regarding the location of the Bankra Mosque at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata [1], [2].

The row highlights a tension between the preservation of historic religious sites and the stringent security requirements of modern aviation infrastructure. As the airport seeks to expand, the presence of a public place of worship within the secure perimeter has become a focal point for national security officials.

The Bankra Mosque is 136 years old [1], though some reports describe it as over 130 years old [2]. The structure is situated within the grounds of the airport, which was formerly known as the Dum Dum aerodrome [1], [2].

Authorities have halted prayers at the site, citing the mosque's proximity to the airport's secondary runway. According to security reports, the mosque is located 165 meters from the runway [2]. This distance is viewed as a vulnerability that could compromise the safety of flight operations, and the overall security of the facility [2].

Calls for the relocation of the mosque have intensified as airport expansion plans move forward. Officials said the move is necessary to ensure that the airport meets international safety standards and can accommodate increased traffic without security risks [2].

The dispute has sparked a broader debate in West Bengal over the balance of religious heritage and state security. While the mosque represents a long-standing community presence, the government said that national security must take precedence over the current location of the site [2].

“The Bankra Mosque is 136 years old.”

This conflict underscores the logistical challenges of integrating legacy colonial-era infrastructure with modern aviation security protocols. The proximity of the mosque to a secondary runway creates a 'sterile zone' violation that complicates airport expansion, potentially forcing a legal and social confrontation between the state's security mandates and the community's religious rights.