Kolkata: Even as the British Royal Air Force Airbase in West Bengal's Ashoknagar Kalyanagarh is considered as the major airbase during the period of World War II, it continues to face neglect by the state and central government.
There is no caretaker at the site and the base that was developed by the British India government have turned into a safe haven for anti-socials.
Under British rule, During the period of World War II, Ashoknagar Kalyanagarh in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district was the site of a British Royal Air Force Airbase.
The site that became Ashoknagar Kalyanagarh was an RAF airfield known by the name of Baigachi Airfield.
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Four RAF hangars still stand, the remnants of a bygone era. After World War II, the airfield and hangars went into disuse.
After India became independent, Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, the then CM of West Bengal, developed the airfield into a planned city. The site was initially known as "Habra Urban Colony".
Speaking to ETV Bharat, local CPM leader Chittaranjan Biswas said, "The condition of the airbase has become very poor. All the pillars are almost broken. Even some people forcibly occupied the airbase. Some illegal construction has grown up here. We want the government to take care of this historical airbase. So that people can visit here."
