AGARTALA, November 11 (TIWN): Upgradation work for Agartala Airport, construction of the Terminal building will be taken on the first phase, whereas the second phase of the work will consists of the construction of Runway Street. Beside the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India to floor the tender of the project within 2 to 3 month next.

Secretary Samarjit Bhowmik briefing the media persons on Monday at civil secretariat said that at least 10.6 acres of land has been made available for the construction of the Terminal building during the first phase and 62 acres of land for the construction of Runway Street. And later the Civil Aviation will apply for the license. Mr. Bhowmik further added that the Department of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) will provide the fund for it. Most importantly the Environmental Clearance report and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be submitted within a few months for the construction of the terminal building, said IAS Mr. Bhowmik.

Samarjit Bhowmik further said that the Director of AAI earlier placed a letter with him seeking more 36 acres of land to upgrade the Agartala Airport. Though calling for a meeting with him on Mondayevening, IAS secretary asked him to make it at least 10 acres of land (additional) especially for the car parking, and asked the official to take 7 acres from the existing Agartala airport staff quarter complex and for 3 acres of land for building up power plant and car parking facilities the officials comprising of Land Acquisition Officer, SDM along with IAS secretary and other officials will make a joint inspection on November 23.

Earlier the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India asked for a total of 107 acres of land for the up-gradation of the Agartala airport into International airport. But on a meeting with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar during the year 2013 at least 72 acres of land has been finalized, where 18 acres of land are under khash land and rest are under jyot land. Beside at least 157 families fell under the land acquisition and they had already been given their compensation as per the new Land Acquisition Act, said IAS Secretary Samarjit Bhowmik.  

Agartala airport is the second busiest in the northeast region after Guwahati airport in Assam. At least 22 flights operate to and from Agartala every day, carrying about 2,700 passengers.

The Agartala airport would be the third international standard airport after the Guwahati and Imphal airports. Imphal's Tulihal airport was recently declared as an international airport after its modernisation.

The Agartala airport modernisation project involves upgrading of the runway and aprons, construction of six aerobridges, three elevators and two escalators besides walkways to connect the international arrival and departure levels.

The airports are being made international as part of India's "Look East" policy to boost the northeast region's connectivity and trade with Southeast Asia.