AGARTALA, March 21 (TIWN): In a severe setback to the proposed modernization of Agartala airport project, Union Environment Ministry has given no environmental clearance in the meeting held on Friday, highly places sources said. The tender for modernization of the airport could be floated only after getting much awaited environment clearance.

Talking to TIWN about the issue S D Barman director of Agartala airport said he is hopefull getting the environment clearance soon, the ministry is checking the papers submitted to the union ministry.” The place where new terminal building will come up, felling of  trees would be done in large numbers for this environment clearance of ministry is required,” he added,

The state government has allotted about 72 acres of land to Airports Authority of India (AAI) to facilitate the Rs 300-crore Agartala airport upgradation project.However,  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 crore.    

The state government  has cleared the design, it  was  placed before an AAI board for approval of design and finance. Finally, it went to ministry of environment and forest for green clearance.

Agartala airport is the second busiest in the northeast region after Guwahati airport in Assam. At least 22 flights operate to and from Agartala every day, carrying about 2,700 passengers.