AGARTALA, Sep 26 (TIWN): State government demanded the improvement of rail and air connectivity. Addressing a press conference on Friday at civil secretariat after his arrival from Delhi, Dey said he met union railway minister Suresh Prabhu and civil aviation minister Ganapati Raju urged both to take initiative for improving both air and rail connectivity.On September 21, he called on Ganapati Raju drew his attention about the importance of air connectivity and modernization of Agartala airport said Dey. The state government has already given land for modernization of the airport. The civil aviation minister informed the centre has sanctioned Rs 438 crore for modernization, the construction work will start from February next year.The minister demanded international tag of Agartala Airport, additional and evening flights, controlling the price of air tickets. On international tag the centre is preparing a policy paper it will be placed before the union cabinet for approval. The centre is willing to have air connectivity with Dhaka, remarked Dey quoting the union minister.On increase of additional flight Raju informed he will take initiative to increase the number of flights, However controlling the price of air ticket will not be possible.The state government has allotted about 72 acres of land to Airports Authority of India (AAI) to facilitate the Agartala airport up gradation project.

To improve air connectivity in the region, has displaced 157 families from the southern and western part of the city airport. The families have been shifted to the land that AAI had abandoned on the other side of the airport along with a total cash compensation of Rs 30 crores.

At present, Agartala has direct flights with Imphal, Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmadabad, Hyderabad and Bangalore. However, the state government has been persuading AAI for air connectivity with Dhaka and other northeastern capitals.

Minister Manik Dey has returned in Friday here at Agartala and told the media that, “In total Rs. 438 crore have been demanded for the upgardation of Agartala Airport”.

However, MP Sankar Prasad Dutta along with other officials also present during the meet, said Manik Dey. Minister Manik Dey has returned in Friday here at Agartala and told the media that, “In total Rs. 438 crore have been demanded for the upgradation of Agartala Airport”.

“Agartala Airport will be renovated and as well as will be made more updated”, said Dey. To expand the Airport govt. has given lands very recently and from the month of February the work will be started. In total 3 demands had been placed before the central Ministers:

1.     To announce Agartala Airport as International Airport,

2.     To increase the number of flights

3.     To fix flight fares

In reply central Minister said, to make as international airports few policies have to be maintained, which is going to be placed before the parliament soon. However, Minister also said that they are also acknowledged that the Bangladesh govt. also has interest to connect with Agartala through air ways.

However, govt. will think to increase the flight numbers at Agartala Airport, said central Minister.

Also central Minister declines to fix air ticket fares. He clearly said that it’s not only in Agartala but anywhere it’s not possible for any state that we can fix the air ticket prices.

Manik Dey also said, in September 23, Dey had a meeting with Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and discussed about the rail-way connectivity of Tripura. Tripura Transport Minister told Railway Minister that from October 25, the broad gauge work of Badarpur to Kumarghat will be started. For the sake to launch high speed train in 33 places of Kumarghat- Agartala, level-crossing, over bridge, under bridge etc. will be made. However, Tripura Minister  also asked to start the work with the work of  railway Mega blocks. He also said that within 31^st March, 2016 the Mega block work will be finished.

Another rail station to be made in the opposite side of Agartala Rail Station, which would be made more larger. However, it’s to be mentioned that the rail way lines will be completed from Agartala to sabroom by 2017 only. Before that within March, 2016 the work would be completed till Udaipur, said Dey.

However Central Railway Minister may come to visit here in Tripura in the month of October, said Dey.