Agartala: After getting green signal from the state government on the modernization plan of the Agartala Airport, the design would be placed before the Board of Airport Authority of India (AAI) for final approval, according to official sources here on Tuesday.
Once the Board gives thumps up to the plan, the AAI would seek environmental clearance for the Rs. 250 crore face lift project for the Agartala Airport, said AAI’s member secretary Sudhir Raheja shortly after giving a presentation on the plan before the Chief Minister at Civil Secretariat here Tuesday.
“After getting environment clearance, the AAI is expecting to get the entire project completed within next three years”, he said.
The face lift project includes formation of new runway, setting up four aero bridge, two hangers and establishing new terminal building.
And, the designed has envisaged in such a way that it could be easily upgraded to international airport.
Transport Minister Manik Dey, Chief Secretary SK Panda and Secretary of Transport department Kishore Ambuly were remained present in the presentation programme.
Later speaking to media, Mr. Dey said the state government has already provided required land- around 72 acre to undertake the airport’s major expansion plan.
Currently, the airport has 450 acres of land.
“The AAI authority will be able to take the possession of the newly acquired land within next one month as the land acquisition is a continuous process”, said Mr. Ambuly.
He further said all the displaced families would be rehabilitated near the existing airport areas and an area measuring 28 acre of land has already been identified for this purpose.
A three-member AAI team today visited abandoned Kailashahar Airport in Unakoti district.
After inspecting the abandoned airport, the AAI team returned to Agartala and held meeting with the Transport Minister in his office. Following persistent demand, the AAI plans to prepare a master plan to operationalize the Kailashahar airport. Sources said, around 79 acres of land will be required to implement the master plan.