Tripura’s Chief Minister Manik Saha took decisive action on Saturday, convening a top-level meeting in Unakoti district to strategize the reopening of the Kailashahar airport, inactive for years. This initiative signals a broader ambition to reactivate the state’s aviation network.
Addressing AAI representatives, Saha mandated an on-site inspection by technical and operational experts. The focus is on a detailed comparative feasibility report for Kailashahar, Kamalpur, and Khowai airports, incorporating land constraints, infrastructural hurdles, and viability metrics.
The study must transparently outline gains and risks across commercial viability, technical feasibility, and financial implications, providing a roadmap for informed decision-making.
Key attendees included AAI’s Northeast Executive Director Gyan Batra and Agartala airport head Krishna Mohan Nehra. The agenda delved into runway expansions, state-of-the-art facilities, and preparations for handling bigger planes, essential for sustainable operations.
Saha outlined that the report would guide consultations with central aviation authorities. AAI pledged an imminent site visit by their specialists to assess engineering and operational needs comprehensively.
This coordination underscores a united front between state and central agencies. With Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala being a Northeast hub, second only to Guwahati, these revivals promise enhanced air links, spurring development in underserved regions and opening new economic avenues.