11 August,2026 06:34 PM IST | Kolkata | IANS
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. File pic
West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Suvendu Adhikari's helicopter made an emergency landing in East Midnapore's Kolaghat on Tuesday afternoon after bad weather disrupted his journey from Kolkata to Keshpur in West Midnapore district, news agency IANS reported.
The helicopter, carrying Adhikari, landed at a football ground at the Kolaghat Balaka Mancha, located near the Kolaghat Thermal Power Plant. According to the initial information available, the pilot decided to make the emergency landing after weather conditions deteriorated during the flight.
Adhikari had boarded the helicopter from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata earlier in the day.
He was scheduled to travel to Keshpur to attend a programme marking the martyrdom anniversary of freedom fighter Khudiram Bose.
After the helicopter landed safely at Kolaghat, Adhikari continued his journey to Keshpur by road. The helicopter later departed from Kolaghat and headed towards Kolkata.
The decision to land the helicopter at Kolaghat was taken as a precautionary measure in view of the deteriorating weather conditions. The incident did not disrupt the CM's scheduled programme in Keshpur.
Bose, one of the prominent figures of Bengal's freedom movement, was born in Keshpur. He was executed by the British government during India's struggle for independence and is remembered for his role in the revolutionary movement against British rule.
After attending the programme in Keshpur, Adhikari is scheduled to travel to neighbouring Bankura district later in the day.
He is expected to chair a meeting with officials from seven districts covered by the Western Region Development Board. The meeting is likely to focus on development projects, funding and the future roadmap for the region.
The Western Region Development Board has also become a point of political discussion in West Bengal. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government neglected the board and failed to allocate adequate funds for its functioning over several years.
According to the allegations, the lack of funding resulted in several development activities under the board remaining stalled.
The current state government allocated funds for the Western Region Development Board in its first budget. Tuesday's meeting is expected to discuss how the funds will be utilised and identify development priorities across the seven districts.
District administration officials from the areas covered by the board are expected to participate in the meeting. The discussions are likely to focus on infrastructure and other development-related requirements in West Bengal's western districts.
During his visit to Bankura, Adhikari is also scheduled to attend a family function of local BJP legislator Niladri Sekhar Dana.
Adhikari is expected to return to Kolkata later on Tuesday evening. However, following the weather-related disruption to his outbound helicopter journey, it was not immediately clear whether he would return to the state capital by helicopter or travel by road.
(With IANS inputs)
