With a clarion call to all auto-rickshaw drivers engaged with transportation of passengers in Agartala airport through pre-paid services, the Transport Minister on Thursday urges them to maintain good behavior with passengers to keep up the glory and fame of the state.

Addressing a programme for free uniform distribution among the pre-paid auto-rickshaw drivers at the new terminal complex of MBB Airport (Agartala), Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said that Agartala airport is the busiest and beautiful airport in the Northeast region  and thousands of passengers including foreign tourists are avail the facilities of Agartala airport for their journey and good behavior with motto of “Atithi Devo Bhava”, the tourist will more attract over hot destinations of Tripura.

He said that the transportation services are directly related to the improvement of tourism and to attract more tourists, the auto-rickshaw driver should maintain their cordial and good behavior with passengers.  For identification of pre-paid auto-rickshaw drivers engaged with airport passenger services, the Transport department has provided free dresses to them and every year before Durga Puja festival, the government will give free uniforms, said Chowdhury.

He said that every day a total 20 flights arrive in this airport and these same flights depart from the state capital towards many cities of the country  and within a short period, the MBB Airport will be an international airport, so in this regard the passenger services through surface transportation is the need of the hour.

Chowdhury said that for the safety of passengers, 6 ‘Apada Mitra’ has been appointed for Agartala airport and the government have also decided to start health-policy for pre-paid auto-rickshaw drivers. During the programme, altogether 248 auto-rickshaw drivers were given free uniform and the department has fixed the target of 300 for free uniform distribution.

The Transport department on Thursday has also given professional permits to nine taxi drivers to run their services from MBB Airport.

During the uniform distribution programme, secretary of Transport department Uttam Kumar Chakma, IGP (Law and Order) Soumitra Dhar, DM (West Tripura) Dr Vishal Kumar, SP (Traffic) Manik Das, Transport Commissioner Subrata Choudhury and director of MBB Airport K C Meena were also present.