Minister for Tourism Sushanta Chowdhury on Monday held separate meetings with Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Shekhawat and Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi, discussing vital projects and proposals to boost Tripura’s tourism and civil aviation sectors.
₹150 Crore Grant for Tourism Development
After meeting with Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, Chowdhury announced on social media that the central government has committed ₹150 crore for the development of tourism in Tripura. During the meeting, Chowdhury, along with the state’s Tourism Secretary and Director, submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Union Minister, outlining ongoing projects and future plans for the state’s tourism sector.
The discussions covered a range of tourism initiatives, including infrastructure development, heritage site promotion, and ecotourism projects. Chowdhury mentioned that the Union Minister assured full support to enhance Tripura’s tourism landscape, which is known for its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and historical sites.
Proposals for Enhanced Air Connectivity
In a separate meeting with Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Chowdhury proposed several measures to improve air connectivity for Tripura. Key proposals included:
- Direct Flight Service: Introducing direct flights between Agartala and Mumbai to boost tourism and ease travel for business and leisure travelers.
- Increased Flight Frequency: Expanding the number of flights on the Agartala-Delhi route to accommodate growing passenger demand.
- International Airport Status: Requesting the declaration of Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport, Agartala, as an international airport to facilitate global connectivity.
- Control of Airfare: Urging the central government to regulate flight fares and make air travel more affordable for the people of Tripura.
- New Flight Services: Demanding the introduction of additional flights from MBB Airport to enhance connectivity with major cities.
Chowdhury also highlighted the need for the revival of Kailashahar Airport, which has remained non-operational for years. According to his social media post, the Union Civil Aviation Minister assured him of a personal visit to Kailashahar to assess the situation and explore possibilities for its reactivation.
Strengthening Infrastructure and Accessibility
The discussions with both Union Ministers aimed at not only enhancing tourism infrastructure but also improving accessibility and affordability of air travel for the people of Tripura. Improved connectivity, especially with major metros like Mumbai and Delhi, is expected to drive tourism growth and support the state’s economic development.
Government’s Vision for Tripura
Minister Sushanta Chowdhury emphasized the state government’s commitment to creating a robust tourism ecosystem and ensuring better air connectivity for residents and tourists alike. He expressed gratitude to the Union Ministers for their positive response and assured that the state would work diligently to implement the proposed projects effectively.
The ₹150 crore funding, combined with new flight services and airport developments, is expected to significantly boost tourism and improve the travel experience for visitors to the northeastern state.
