AGARTALA, Jan 17 (TIWN): uncertainty looms large over the much talked project of Airport expansion work in the state. Although the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) have given clearance to the plan of setting up new terminal building at Agartala Airport, but Airport Director is reluctant to comment anything on the development of the project in the state. Talking to TIWN correspondent on Saturday Airport director said that at present the work is nearly stopped and there is no assurance when the work will take a lift in the state. He also said that arranging tender for engaging Project Management Consultants to carry out the Rs. 338 crore projects is underway but nothing can be said when the work will gain momentum. He also stressed on the issue that until the tender is clarified nothing can be done regarding the construction. It is worthy to mention here that the state government has already handed over required land for facelift work of the Agartala Airport. Transport Minister Manik Dey said that it can be expected that by next few months Airport expansion work will begin in full swing.The Airport expansion work may take a lift in next few months but there is no assurance to kick off the work in next few months. The fifth day of the Tripura assembly raised the issue of the Airport expansion work where Transport Minister Manik Dey said that the expansion work will begin soon in the coming days.Agartala Airport expansion is a much awaited project in the state and the expansion project is underway.

However, the much awaited expansion project includes extension of runway to successfully accommodate wide bodied aircraft and to improve the passenger’s amenities. Four aero bridge provisions is likely to be there in the new terminal building, so that it can handle 1000 passengers on both departure and arrival at a time.

 Besides four conveyors belt will also inducted in the new terminal.Airport Director also said the new terminal building would be at least double its present size and the size of the apron would be four times bigger than the current size.  The director informed that the estimate cost for constructing the new terminal building will be around Rs 250 crore. For beefing up the security in the Airport, 87 CCTV cameras have been installed in the airport.

All preliminary works have been completed. The project is likely to be kicked off in February with the procedure of arranging tender for engaging Project Management Consultants, added Airport Director.