Agartala, Dec 17 (TIWN): MLA Gopal Roy today met with the Tripura Governor PB Acharya and highlighted the ongoing air ticket crisis in the state at Raj Bhavan. He demanded for an additional flight of Air India in Agartala-Kolkata route and also to reduce the taxes on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).

During his visit, Roy informed to Governor that over 8 air service providers shut down operation in the state due to high Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price. In comparison to the other states, the state government is charging too much tax on ATF, he said. If the state government reduces ATF taxes, then the air service providers would definitely come to the state, Roy added.

“Due to Mega Block works, presently a single train in Agartala-Badarpur route remained operational in poor condition. At such moment, the only way to go outside of the state is airway in case of urgency. Due to severe shortage of flights, many critical patients have stranded in GBP, ILS, IGM and TMC hospitals. Besides students and common people have been facing very tough time”, Roy said.

According to the sources, air ticket prices have been scaling up with every passing day. Even group tickets are not available with the city based travelling agencies.

In his visit, Roy demanded for an additional flight of Air India and to reduce the taxes on ATF. After studying the demands, the Governor assured to take up the ATF tax issue with the state government and to talk with Centre for additional flight, said Roy.

The state government is playing role like a mute spectator over the issue, said Gopal Roy over telephone after conducting the hour-long meeting with the Governor at Raj Bhavan today.