Purulia/Bokaro:
The historic Chharra Airstrip in West Bengal’s Purulia district—silent since the end of World War II—is finally set to roar back to life. Once a strategic Allied base that witnessed the thunder of warplanes, the airstrip is now gearing up for commercial operations. This revival promises to transform Purulia, Bokaro, and the entire bordering region with new opportunities in connectivity, growth, and investment.
A War-Time Legacy Ready to Rise Again
Built between 1942–43 by the British administration, the Chharra Airstrip served as a major strategic hub for the U.S. Air Force during World War II. With eight taxi bays, it was capable of hosting heavy aircraft such as the B-29 Superfortress. The airfield was a key part of the historic ‘Hump Mission’, enabling the transport of critical supplies from Bengal to China through the treacherous Himalayan routes.
Remarkably, it is also recorded as the airstrip where a U.S. aircraft landed after dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
Its proximity to a railway line made refueling and logistics easier, further enhancing its strategic relevance. But after the war ended in 1945, operations ceased. Over the decades, its long, sturdy runway fell silent, gradually covered by grass and fading into a forgotten corner of history.
A Forgotten Gem in the Eyes of Locals
For villagers in the surrounding areas, Chharra has always remained a place of intrigue—an abandoned yet majestic relic of the past. Despite its vast potential, the airstrip never received preservation or redevelopment. Proposals to convert it into a tourist attraction were raised multiple times but never materialised.
Revival Plans Gain Momentum
The turning point came in 2017–18, when the state government decided to revive the airstrip for regional aviation. The aim:
- To give Purulia long-awaited air connectivity
- To boost tourism and industrial growth
- To promote regional air travel with small commercial aircraft
According to official reports, the project is proposed to utilise 300–600 acres of land, with an estimated cost of ₹250–300 crore. Preparations for upgrading the runway and aviation infrastructure are already underway. Recent technical inspections and surveys indicate that the airstrip is now closer than ever to reopening for civil aviation.
A New Regional Hub for Eastern India
Once operational, commercial flights from Chharra Airstrip could revolutionise connectivity across the region. Cities like Purulia, Bokaro, Bankura, Ranchi, and Jamshedpur stand to benefit from faster travel options. The project may attract industries, tourism ventures, and significant private investment—creating new employment opportunities for local youth.
If revived successfully, Chharra has the potential to emerge as a major regional aviation hub for Eastern India.
A Bridge Between Past and Future
The revival of Chharra Airstrip represents more than just infrastructure development—it’s a seamless merging of history and modern progress. Where warplanes once took off into uncertain skies, commercial aircraft may soon rise, carrying hopes of development, connectivity, and prosperity.
For Purulia and its neighbouring regions, Chharra’s rebirth could mark the beginning of a new era—one that ends decades of silence and opens the runway to possibilities.
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