Bagdogra airport was closed for about two weeks after the discovery of cracks on the primary runway.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) completed repair work at Bagdogra Airport in North Bengal, allowing civilian flights to take place.

This airport is the only airport connecting North Bengal to the rest of the country. The IAF is responsible for Air Traffic Control (ATC).

The IAF said the asphalt renewal on the central bituminous section of the runway was completed on time. The runway was closed for about two weeks to lay three flexible bituminous layers, reconstruct non-load-bearing surfaces and other work.

It included the reconstruction of the concrete sections at each end of the runway and the widening of the taxiways and connections according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

The work was carried out by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) and completed quickly to avoid harassment of civilian pilots.

Bagdogra Airport also acts as a diversion base for the IAF for its aircraft taking off from Air Force Station, Hasimara, West Bengal.

The IAF said Bagdogra is important not only from a strategic point of view, but also for promoting tourism and trade in the region. It connects places like Darjeeling, Siliguri and also Sikkim with the rest of the world.

After the repair work, about 8,000 passengers will be able to use the airport every day.

Recently, all the trains from Howrah and Sealdah to New Jalpaiguri were packed with not only tourists but also those engaged in trade and commerce in North Bengal.