What Steps is Tripura CM Taking to Revive the Defunct Kailashahar Airport?
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Synopsis
Discover the latest developments as Chief Minister Manik Saha takes decisive steps to revive the dormant Kailashahar Airport in Tripura. With discussions on international flights and government support, the future of air travel in the region looks promising. Get all the insights on this significant initiative!
Key Takeaways
- Chief Minister Manik Saha is actively seeking to revive the defunct Kailashahar Airport.
- The Airport Authority of India is involved in assessing the situation.
- The Tripura government is allocating funds for the airport's operationalization.
- Plans for international flights are in discussion, pending the regional situation.
- This initiative symbolizes a broader commitment to enhancing regional connectivity.
Agartala, May 27 (NationPress) Chief Minister Manik Saha convened a meeting with senior officials from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) on Tuesday to discuss the revival of the inactive airport located in Kailashahar, situated in the Unakoti district of northern Tripura.
An official from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) noted that during his recent trip to New Delhi, the Chief Minister met Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and urged him to expedite efforts to restore Kailashahar Airport.
He also sent a letter to the DoNER Ministry and Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu regarding the matter. Following his request, a team from the AAI visited the airport site on Sunday for an on-site evaluation and subsequently met with the Chief Minister on Tuesday.
The AAI representatives provided the Chief Minister with comprehensive details about the dormant Kailashahar Airport. The Tripura government has long been advocating for the operationalization of both the defunct Kailashahar and Khowai airports.
The Chief Minister previously indicated that he has urged the Central government to commence international flight services from the MBB Airport at the earliest. He emphasized that MBB Airport is one of the most aesthetically pleasing airports in the northeast, featuring excellent modern facilities.
“Numerous flights are currently connecting major cities across the country, with more anticipated in the near future. Although discussions were held about launching international flights to Chittagong in Bangladesh, that plan is currently on hold due to the ongoing situation in the neighboring country,” he stated.
Earlier, Tripura Transport and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury mentioned that it was agreed upon that SpiceJet would operate flights on the Agartala-Chittagong route, and the Tripura government decided to allocate Rs 15 crore to the AAI for this purpose.
The state government had previously paid Rs 3.85 crore to the AAI as an advance covering three months in December 2022 and provided 25 police personnel to the Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to historian and author Pannalal Roy, the land for the Agartala, Kailashahar, and several other now-abandoned airports in Tripura was gifted by the former Tripura kings.
“During World War II, King Bir Bikram supported the Allied forces, particularly Great Britain. He dispatched a unit of the Tripura Army to assist them. At that time, airports like Agartala and Kailashahar were constructed to support the Allied forces,” Roy, a prolific author on Tripura's royal history, informed IANS.
He added that in 1943, Japanese fighter planes bombed Agartala Airport twice.
Point of View
The revival of the Kailashahar Airport is a crucial development that reflects the commitment of the Tripura government to enhance regional connectivity. It symbolizes progress and the potential for economic growth in the northeastern region of India. The involvement of the central government in facilitating this initiative is commendable, and it signals a broader interest in bolstering infrastructure in remote areas.
NationPress
14/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the status of the Kailashahar Airport?
The Kailashahar Airport is currently defunct, but discussions are ongoing to operationalize it with the support of the Airport Authority of India and the Tripura government.
Who attended the meeting regarding the airport's revival?
Chief Minister Manik Saha chaired the meeting with senior officials from the Airport Authority of India to discuss the operationalization of the airport.
What financial support is being provided for the airport's revival?
The Tripura government has decided to allocate Rs 15 crore to the Airport Authority of India for the revival of the Kailashahar Airport.
Are there plans for international flights from Tripura?
Yes, the Chief Minister has requested the Central government to initiate international flight services from the MBB Airport, with initial discussions about flights to Chittagong in Bangladesh.
What historical significance does the Kailashahar Airport have?
The land for the Kailashahar and other airports in Tripura was donated by the former Tripura kings, and the airport played a role during World War II.
