Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed the early operationalisation of the immigration checkpoint at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, Agartala, while reviewing airport security and passenger facilities, aiming to strengthen Bangladesh connectivity, improve immigration services, and modernise airport infrastructure across India.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed officials to ensure the authorised immigration checkpoint at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala becomes operational at the earliest, a move expected to significantly enhance international connectivity between Tripura and neighbouring Bangladesh while improving passenger convenience and border management.
The directive came during a high-level review meeting held on Wednesday, where Shah assessed passenger facilities, airport security arrangements and the immigration system at major airports across the country. Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu was also present during the meeting, along with senior officials from the Ministries of Home Affairs and Civil Aviation.
According to an official government statement, Shah instructed that the immigration checkpoints at both Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala and the upcoming greenfield Jewar Airport in Uttar Pradesh should be made operational without delay. The immigration facility at Agartala is considered strategically important due to Tripura’s close geographical proximity to Bangladesh and its growing role in cross-border connectivity.
The Home Minister also reviewed the progress of airport infrastructure development across India. He directed authorities to prioritise the development of 21 under-construction airports and the remaining 41 airports based on passenger traffic while ensuring compliance with security standards prescribed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
Shah stressed that all 62 identified airports should become fully operational within the next two years. He said the expansion of airport infrastructure must focus on improving passenger experience without compromising security. Commercial areas within airports should also comply with established operational and safety norms.
To strengthen immigration services nationwide, Shah directed that Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) offices should become functional at the headquarters of every state by 2027. This initiative is expected to improve immigration-related services and facilitate better coordination for international travellers.
The meeting also focused on promoting the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Travellers’ Programme (FTI-TTP), which enables eligible passengers to enjoy faster immigration clearance. Shah suggested developing a coordinated mechanism with airlines so that passengers booking international tickets receive WhatsApp messages encouraging them to register for the programme before travel.
In another major initiative aimed at improving airport efficiency, the Home Minister recommended the phased installation of the Automated X-ray Tray Return System (ATRS) at airports across the country. The technology is expected to reduce manpower requirements, accelerate security screening, and improve passenger movement through security checkpoints.
Highlighting the need for integrated airport planning, Shah instructed officials to develop a comprehensive framework linking entry gates, check-in counters, security screening lanes, and immigration counters. Such coordination, he said, would minimise congestion and prevent bottlenecks at different passenger touchpoints.
Officials informed the meeting that coordinated plans are being prepared for every stage of passenger movement to ensure seamless travel experiences across major airports.
The Home Minister also directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation to establish norms regarding the number of aerobridges required at airports, taking into account passenger traffic and aircraft movement. He further recommended expanding baggage drop facilities, currently available at 16 major airports, to other high-traffic international airports to improve operational efficiency.
On the security front, Shah emphasised maintaining high professional standards among Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel assigned to X-ray screening duties. He instructed that only officers and personnel possessing the prescribed educational qualifications should be deployed for these specialised responsibilities.
To further improve passenger services, Shah asked both the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the CISF to independently commission third-party studies during peak travel seasons. These studies will evaluate passenger delays at airport touchpoints and recommend measures to reduce waiting times while maintaining robust security standards.
The review meeting was attended by the Union Home Secretary, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India, and several senior officials from the Ministries of Home Affairs and Civil Aviation.
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The decision to expedite the immigration checkpoint at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport is expected to strengthen Tripura’s international connectivity, facilitate smoother cross-border travel with Bangladesh, and support the state’s growing role as a gateway for regional trade, tourism and economic cooperation in India’s Northeast.
