State Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury has written to the Union Aviation Minister, highlighting issues caused by fare hikes and flight cancellations by private airlines. Chowdhury pointed out the recent withdrawal of IndiGo flights on routes such as Kolkata-Agartala-Lengpui, Kolkata-Agartala-Shillong, and Kolkata-Agartala, including flights IG7305, IG7954, IG7144, and flight 6E-6519 from Agartala to Kolkata, which has led to exorbitant airfares. He stressed that these flights are crucial for connecting Kolkata, Agartala, and Shillong, providing essential services, and their discontinuation has attracted significant public criticism. This impacts sectors like tourism, healthcare, emergency services, education, and the overall economy of the regions involved. Chowdhury demanded the immediate resumption of these services or the introduction of alternatives by other suitable air operators. Additionally, he requested the declaration of MBB Airport as an international airport and the operationalization of international flights from there, as well as the development and operationalization of the existing Kailashahar Airport.
In another letter to the Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chowdhury highlighted various rail connectivity issues and congratulated him on his second term. He praised Vaishnaw’s efforts in enhancing the efficiency, safety, and reach of Tripura’s railway network, which have contributed to the state’s socio-economic development. Chowdhury urged the introduction of regular passenger and goods train services from Agartala to Kolkata via Dhaka, Bangladesh, and from Agartala to Chittagong through the newly inaugurated Agartala-Akhaura international rail link. He also emphasized the need for the electrification of railway tracks from Badarpur to Sabroom, conversion of single-line tracks to double lines, additional daily passenger trains on the Agartala-Dharmanagar route, increasing coaches in local DEMUs, and the introduction of new intercity and express train services. Furthermore, he called for alternative rail connectivity projects and the Belonia-Feni rail link to expedite pending rail projects and ensure better connectivity in Tripura.
