Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, reaffirmed his government's commitment to restoring air connectivity in the state, announcing plans to resume flight operations at Kailashahar Airport in Unakoti district of northern Tripura after a gap of 35 years. The revival is being pursued under the Centre's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, with active support from the Central government.

Key Developments from the Review Meeting

Chief Minister Saha presided over a high-level review meeting on the redevelopment of Kailashahar Airport at the Secretariat Conference Hall in Agartala. He reviewed progress made under the first phase of the UDAN project and sought a detailed update on steps taken to facilitate the resumption of flight services. The meeting was attended by Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, CM's Secretary Kiran Gitte, Revenue Secretary Milind Ramteke, Acting Secretary of the Transport Department Tapas Roy, Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport Director Shekhar Debbarma, and additional secretaries from various departments.

What the Government Said

Saha stated that if the airport is found suitable for flight operations, it will play a significant role in both the state's internal air connectivity and national security. He pledged that the state government would extend all possible cooperation to ensure the redevelopment of the airport and the resumption of air services. He also emphasised the need to enhance Tripura's revenue alongside the introduction of air services at Kailashahar.

Dumbur Helipad: Pushing for Faster Construction

In addition to the airport revival, Chief Minister Saha underlined the urgency of expediting the construction of a helipad at Dumbur, a prominent tourist destination in Tripura. He called for the speedy completion of the proposed facility, noting that improved transport infrastructure is essential to make the location more accessible to visitors and to boost tourism revenue in the state.

Broader Significance: Connectivity, Tourism, and Security

The development of air connectivity through the UDAN framework is part of a broader push to integrate Tripura — a landlocked northeastern state — with the national aviation network. Notably, the revival of Kailashahar Airport is subject to a suitability assessment, meaning flights will not resume automatically. This comes amid a wider Centre-backed effort to extend regional air connectivity to underserved parts of the Northeast, where road and rail infrastructure remain constrained. Improved air access, officials argue, would serve strategic interests along India's borders in addition to facilitating civilian travel and tourism.

The next steps will depend on the outcome of the airport suitability review, after which redevelopment timelines under the UDAN scheme are expected to be finalised.