International standard airport at Agartala by 2016

The Agartala airport modernisation project involves upgrading of the runway and aprons, construction of six aerobridges, three elevators and two escalators besides walkways to connect the international arrival and departure levels.


Raheja, accompanied by AAI executive director Kalpana Shethy and other officials, held meetings with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Transport Minister Manik Dey and other state government officials and discussed the execution of the project.

The AAI would also take up projects to develop two abandoned airports in Kailashahar and Kamalpur in northern Tripura to handle medium-sized aircraft.

AAI officials have also visited these airports by helicopter for an on-the-spot study. An additional Rs.100 crore would be required for upgradation of both the airports.

"Of the total passengers travelling in the northeastern states by air, 16 percent travel through Agartala airport. By 2020-21, the number of passengers travelling through Agartala would rise to 10 lakh," Raheja added.

The Tripura government earlier urged the civil aviation ministry to operate flights from Agartala to Bangladesh and adjoining countries to boost trade and tourism.