Tripura Chief Minister Calls for Urgent Assessment of Dormant Kailashahar Airport
In a significant move to boost regional connectivity, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has formally urged the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to dispatch a specialized technical and operational team to Kailashahar Airport in Unakoti district. The primary objective is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the airport's current physical condition while simultaneously reviewing critical land and infrastructure-related issues that have accumulated over decades.
High-Level Meeting Focuses on Airport Revival Strategy
A high-level meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Saha, was recently convened to deliberate on concrete strategies for reviving the long-dormant Kailashahar Airport and resuming commercial flight services. The airport has remained completely inactive and non-operational for nearly thirty-five years, but has recently emerged as a central focus for redevelopment and infrastructure discussions within the state government's agenda.
Key officials present at this crucial meeting included Gyan Batra, the Executive Director of AAI's North Eastern Region, and Krishna Mohan Nehra, the newly appointed Director of Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala. The discussions were intensely focused on identifying and systematically addressing the outstanding technical, logistical, and administrative challenges that must be overcome to facilitate the earliest possible restart of operations from Kailashahar.
Feasibility Study and Technical Evaluation Ordered
During the proceedings, Chief Minister Saha strongly recommended conducting an extensive feasibility study. This study would meticulously compare Kailashahar Airport with two other regional airports—Kamalpur and Khowai—as well as with the primary Agartala MBB Airport. The CM emphasized the need for prompt submission of the study's findings to enable swift, data-driven decision-making.
In response, AAI officials confirmed during the meeting that a dedicated technical team would be deployed to visit Kailashahar in the very near future. This team's mandate is to perform a detailed, on-ground evaluation of all technical requirements, including runway integrity, terminal facilities, navigation systems, and safety protocols, necessary to bring the airport up to operational standards.
Broad Political Support for the Revival Initiative
The push to revive the airport has garnered support beyond the ruling dispensation. Congress Legislature Party leader and Kailashahar MLA, Birajit Sinha, has publicly voiced his endorsement of the state government's concerted efforts to restore the airport. This cross-party backing underscores the project's perceived importance for regional development and enhanced connectivity in Tripura's Unakoti district.
The proposed revival of Kailashahar Airport represents a potential catalyst for economic growth, tourism, and easier access for residents, marking a pivotal step in upgrading Tripura's aviation infrastructure after a prolonged hiatus.
