Charra Airfield

Military Decommissioning. The airfield was constructed for temporary wartime use during World War II. With the end of the war in 1945, the Allied forces (specifically the United States Army Air Forces) withdrew from the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater. The base was no longer required for military operations and was subsequently abandoned.

The airfield is defunct and in a state of complete disrepair. The main concrete runway, though heavily weathered, cracked, and partially overgrown with grass and shrubs, is still largely intact and visible on satellite imagery. The site is not used for any official aviation activities. It is informally used by local villagers for various purposes, such as a ground for learning to drive, drying harvested paddy, grazing cattle, and as a makeshift sports field. While non-operational, the land is reportedly under the jurisdiction of the Indian Air Force (IAF) or the state government, a common status for such WWII-era airfields.

Constructed during World War II (circa 1942-1944), Charra Airfield was a significant strategic airbase for the Allied forces. It was primarily used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Tenth Air Force as part of the CBI Theater. The airfield hosted various units and aircraft, including fighter and bomber groups, and was instrumental in launching missions against Japanese forces in Burma. It also served as a transport and supply hub, supporting the critical airlift operations over 'The Hump' to China.

The airfield regained international notoriety on December 17, 1995, in connection with the 'Purulia Arms Drop' incident. An Antonov An-26 aircraft illegally airdropped a large cache of sophisticated weapons (including AK-47 rifles and rocket launchers) in the vicinity. While the airfield itself was not used for the flight, the incident highlighted the remote and unmonitored nature of the abandoned airstrip and the surrounding region.

There have been repeated proposals over several years to redevelop Charra Airfield into a modern, operational airport for civilian use. The primary motivation is to boost tourism and economic development in the Purulia district, which is known for its natural beauty but lacks direct air connectivity. The project has been considered under the Indian government's regional connectivity scheme, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik). The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the West Bengal state government have conducted surveys and expressed intent to develop the site. However, progress has been consistently stalled due to significant challenges, including the high cost of completely rebuilding the runway and constructing new terminal buildings, air traffic control, and other necessary infrastructure. As of now, the project remains in the proposal and survey stage with no definitive timeline for construction or reopening.