Northeast Desk, 25th July: On July 25, Tripura Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb urged the Union Civil Aviation Minister to expedite the process of declaring Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport (MBB) in Agartala an international airport and to establish an immigration check post.
Addressing the Lower House, Deb highlighted the significance of MBB Airport, Tripura’s sole airport, as a vital gateway for the Northeast region. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport’s new terminal in 2022, which has a capacity of 1,200 passengers and features 20 check-in counters.
Deb pointed out that the Tripura government has already invested Rs 18.85 crores for the Agartala-Chittagong flight services, and the airport is equipped with an Instrument Landing System and ground lighting. Despite being designated as a Customs Checkpost by the Ministry of Finance on January 4, 2023, the immigration check post notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs is still pending.
Deb appealed to the Speaker of the House, Om Birla, to request the Civil Aviation Minister to liaise with the Home Ministry and expedite the notification process. He emphasized that upgrading the MBB Airport to international status would greatly benefit Tripura and the broader northeastern region.
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