Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said there is a lack of manpower – security, and Fire service personnel – at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala. For this reason, 24-hour flight services cannot be operated. He, however, pointed out the airport is capable of handling emergency landings anytime including at night and so also, continue flight services anytime as the situation needs.
While replying to a question from Kalyani Roy during the Reference Period in Assembly on Tuesday, Chowdhury said 24-hour flight services at the MBB Airport are not possible at this moment. He said MBB Airport Authority informed him about the lack of adequate Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel engaged in security-related matters. There are manpower issues in the case of Fire service personnel and other segments also.
Even as MBB Airport is one of the best airports in the North Eastern Region, a lack of manpower is preventing the Airport from running 24-hour flight services. Sources said, around 342 CISF personnel are required for 24-hour services – at present, there is only 230 CISF personnel posted in the Airport.
Chowdhury sounded hopeful about introducing 24-hour flight services. The Minister said he will fly to New Delhi soon and will hold talks with the Centre for a permanent arrangement paving way for 24-hour flight services, especially on the lack of adequate CISF personnel in the MBB Airport.
Later speaking to the media, the Transport Minister said the Airport is capable of allowing emergency landings for any domestic or International flights. Moreover, in case of an emergency that requires immediate transportation from Agartala to any other State, flights are allowed to operate anytime.
“The MBB Airport is competent to deal with emergency landings or emergency flight services even during the night”, he asserted.
