KAILASHAHAR, Oct 5 (TIWN): The long unsolved Kailshahar airport issue once again has been raised when CPI-M Ministers and Opposition leaders were on the same dais during a Municipal Corporation’s 2nd floor building inauguration at Kailashahar. PCC President Birajit Sinha questioned the Ministers Manik Dey and Tapan Chakraborty, who were presented in the programme about the unfinished work of Kailashahar Airport, for which people of Kailashahar have beenwaiting for long. Sinha asked, “When the state govt. will take care of the unfinished Kailashahar airport which has become a barren land and field for cattle grazing ?” Sinha also asked the Transport Minister Manik Dey when the double lane road will be started at Kailashahar.However, in reply Minister Manik Dey, before the audience said, “Govt. will not initiate a single step to renovate Kailashahar Airport, till the Central govt. doesn’t assure the State Govt. about the funds to be provided for Kailashahar Airport”. Although Manik Dey remained silent regarding the double lane road, but Minister Tapan Chakraborty criticized the opposition (not taking any one’s name) by mentioning that Tripura Opposition parties lack co-operative attitude so that the state may be progressed. “Unless the Tripura opposition understands the problem, it’s very easy to blame any govt.”, said Tapan Chakraborty.But the fact is the Kailashhar Airport which has been left in deplorable condition since decades, State govt. is not taking any initiative to restore it.

As a result North Tripura people has to suffer a lot during their hectic journey towards the Agartala Airport.

Sinha also said, once the airport gets started the people of Dhalai & Unakoti Districts will be benefited at a large, as presently they have  trouble a lot to catch the flight from such a long distance.

Manik Dey said, “We sent DPR to Govt. but signal from the Central Govt. yet to come”. Manik Dey also said, “We gave the requisition long back”, “We will only buy the land after Project will get sanctioned from the Centre”.

It’s worthy to mention that Kailashahar Airport which once started operation with full enthusiasm in 1991 by Tripura govt headed by Congress., now left in a deplorable condition due to the negligence of the CPI-M led State Govt. and dispute over the investment sharing between Central and State Govts.

Many political parties and organizations demanded for renovation of this airport since decades, but failed to bring any positive effect.

If this Airport gets operational, Dhalai and North Tripura’s people can get relief for Air transportation to Agartala. The issue was raised many times, but since several years, Manik Sarkar’s Govt. has taken no initiatives for its development. Whether the state govt. blames the centre for not giving responses for the development of this airport, on the other hand oppositions blames the State Govt. for its intentional negligence over the issue.