Tripura Government Pushes for Immigration Check Post at MBB Agartala Airport
The Government of Tripura has taken steps to expedite the process of declaring Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala as an authorized Immigration Check Post (ICP). In a recent communication addressed to Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sushanta Chowdhury, the Minister of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Tourism, and Transport, highlighted the ongoing discussions between the Tripura State Government and the Ministry of Home Affairs on the matter.
In his letter, Chowdhury expressed appreciation for the updates on the status of MBB Airport and emphasized the need to overcome challenges related to infrastructure and staffing requirements, which are keys to achieving ICP status for the airport. He pointed out that the State Cabinet had already submitted a list of eligible State Police personnel for deployment, following approval from the Home Department, based on criteria set by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The minister also requested further clarification on the eligibility criteria for police personnel engagement, alongside the necessary infrastructure upgrades to meet international standards. These steps are essential for facilitating international flights, including the long-anticipated Agartala-Chittagong-Agartala route.
Chowdhury reminded the Ministry of State for Home Affairs that, as of August 2022, the Tripura State Cabinet had approved Rs 15 crores and released Rs 3 crores and 85 lakhs to the Airport Authority of India for upgrading the airport's infrastructure. However, progress on this front has been slower than anticipated.
In his letter, the minister urged swift action and coordination between the State Home Department, the Transport Department, and MBB Airport's Director to ensure all pending requirements are met. He expressed optimism that the airport would soon achieve ICP status, a crucial step toward its eventual designation as an international airport.
(Tripura, Northeast)
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