India renovating WWII airports in Northeast for better connectivity

India is planning to renovate several unused airports build during the World War II across the North-eastern states to improve the regional connectivity.

Indian junior Civil Aviation Minister Jayanta Sinha said this was crucial for improving regional air connectivity after a long discussion with Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar.

He said the Indian government plans to develop the Agartala airport into an international airport with an investment of 4 billion Indian rupees.

A large number of Bangladeshis flying into mainland Indian metro cities tend to use Agartala now to save on airfare.

“There are large numbers of airports in the Northeast which were built during the World War II. Now they are not being used. We plan to renovate these 50 airports to improve regional connectivity,” Sinha told the media.

He said air travel was often no luxury but a necessity in the hilly terrain of Northeast India.

Sinha said the renovation of the unused airstrips would precede other plans like using national highways as landing strips.

One such airport which will be renovated under this project is the Kailasahar airport in North Tripura, the minister said.

He said that the government was also trying to improve air connectivity between north-eastern states and adjacent countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand.

"That is why we are investing in the infrastructure of the airports in the North-eastern states like Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram.

"With the improving airports we are also working towards connecting Agartala to Dhaka, Mandalay or Bangkok after the completion of the international terminal."

At present the Guwahati and Imphal airports are the only two international airports in northeast India.

The junior civil aviation minister said some private airlines will introduce more flights to the northeast besides starting air ambulance and low cost airliners from October.

Tripura government has been demanding for flights between Bangladesh capital Dhaka and other important cities like Chittagong and Sylhet from Agartala airport and which would not only boost trade and tourism but also people to people connect.