Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb during a video conference with Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindiaon Wednesday requested him to launch direct flights between Tripura and Bangladesh- in particular Dhaka and Chittagong. The demand came keeping in mind that the International Airport building at Agartala – if the plan went right-would be operational within this month.
The Chief Minister also requested Scindia to reduce the VAT for domestic flights- which would in turn bring down the air fare.
During the meeting Deb stressed on construction of runway for- now unused- Kailashahar Airport and boundary walls around the properties of Airport Authority at Kamalpur, Khowai and also Kailashahar. He also proposed boosting Helicopter tourism in the state.
Later in a social media post, the Chief Minister wrote that the Union Civil Aviation Minister had assured full support to the Tripura Government for fulfilling the proposals.
Meanwhile, Deb’s proposal for Direct flight with neighbouring Bangladesh assumes significance as the new international terminal of Maharaja Bir Bikram airport was already set for inauguration.
In the video conference, the Chief Minister was accompanied by Chief Secretary Kumar Alok and other officials concerned at the civil Secretariat.
