Amidst serious concerns over skyrocketing airfares on the Agartala-Kolkata route, the Transport and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Wednesday claimed that Union Civil Aviation Ministry informed the state government airfare is now decontrolled.

Addressing a press conference at Gitanjali Tourism Guest House in Agartala on Wednesday to highlight programmes to be observed during the celebration of ‘World Tourism Day’ on September 27. Chowdhury said that  the state government has written two letters to the secretary and union Minister of Civil Aviation to control the skyrocketing airfare in Agartala-Kolkata route which has significantly impacted travelers in the upcoming festival season.

He said that recently, the concerned Union Minister has informed the state government that they have examined the fare strictures in Agartala-Kolkata route and added that present fares are in the slabs of fare provided by the airlines.

He said that as per the existing regulations, the airfare is totally decontrolled and governments do not have the role to control the same. Chowdhury, replying to media queries, said that ‘fare of air ticket depends on availability of seats and it's always fluctuating’.

 Chowdhury on September 20 last through his letters informed the Union Ministry that “airfares for the 327-kilometer aerial distance of flight between Agartala and Kolkata have surged to an alarming range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000. With the upcoming festive season, there are apprehensions that these prices may increase further, exacerbating the financial burden on the common people of Tripura.”

He also  stated that ‘the rising cost of air travel is causing considerable hardship for many and this issue was recently univocally highlighted by the members of Tripura Legislative Assembly, both the members of treasury bench and opposition bench, during the last Assembly session on September 5th. He also said that widespread media coverage, in all regional and national level newspapers, has drawn substantial criticism of the current irrational airfare structure.

Minister said that the state government urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation to introduce a cap on the maximum airfare for the Agartala-Kolkata and Agartala-Guwahati routes, but the Ministry has informed that airfare is now totally decontrolled.

While, Chowdhury said that over operational of Kailashahar airport under UDAN scheme of Regional Connectivity Services (RCS), so far Airport Authority of India (AAI) for the development of Kailashahar airport has completed necessary maintenance works and the propose flight operation of 17 or 19 seater aircraft from Kailashahar airport at first stage is totally depends on Union government.

He also said that expansion of Kailashahar airport is not possible at the present state as government require Rs. 350 crore for expansion of the airport from North side and Rs. 50 crore needs for expansion through the North side, where is a river flowing, operation of 72 seater aircraft would not be feasible at Kailashahar airport due to its runaway limitation, but 20 seater aircraft may start operation.