Agartala, Jul 29 (PTI): Tripura Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Wednesday said the revival of Kailashahar airport in Unakoti district has virtually stalled because of the land acquisition process.
The airport, which played a key role during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, has remained non-functional for years.
“The state government plans to revive Kailashahar airport and Chief Minister Manik Saha held a meeting with representatives of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to explore the feasibility,” Chowdhury told reporters at Kailashahar.
He said the chief minister had asked the AAI to submit a report on the airport’s revival plan, but it was yet to be submitted.
“Land acquisition is required to revive the airport because the existing runway is not long enough even for an ATR landing. It is estimated that Rs 400 to Rs 500 crore is required to acquire land for the airport expansion. I hope the CM will take the right action at the right time,” he said.
Congress legislature party leader Birajit Sinha has been seeking the revival of Kailashahar airport not only for passenger service but also from the country’s security point of view.
“A functional airport is needed at Kailashahar for passenger service as well as national security. I have inputs that the Bangladesh government has set up an air base just 8 to 10 km away from Kailashahar town,” he said.
Sinha added he will soon write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi detailing the need to revive the airport. PTI PS MNB
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