The newly built Cargo complex at the Agartala's Maharaja Bir Bikram airport, the second largest in the Northeastern region after the one at Guwahati airport, was inaugurated on Friday.

Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, in the presence of the state government and AAI officials, inaugurated the new cargo complex which would be maintained and operated by AAI Cargo and Logistics Services, a subsidiary of AAI for smooth and hassle free cargo movement.

The new cargo building of 1 thousand 272 square meters has been built at the cost of Rs. 17 crore. It is being hoped that as a result of this, a total of 40 thousand 150 MT goods could be transported round the year, which is 10 times more in quantity than that in the past. The services will be primarily provided by Indigo airline.

The Transport Minister said, soon after taking over new responsibility, quick commencing of different services has been emphasized. To achieve this very goal, the cargo service and prepaid auto services have commenced today at the airport. The Minister thanked Indigo airline authority for providing such service and hoped that other airlines would also come forward for the same. He said, the businessmen of the state have had to face several difficulties. The Minister hoped that the recommencement of cargo service will benefit businessmen of the state.

The Transport Minister also said, Tripura is surrounded by neighboring country Bangladesh on 3 sides. That is why, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized upon improving airways and railways from the start. He also said, if everything goes well, Agartala-Chittagong airline services will be commencing from the first week of June. Later, initiative will be taken to commence airline services directly from Agartala to Singapore, Bangkok, etc. The Minister also said, as it was not easy to move Maharaja’s statue from the old airport, a new bronze statue of Maharaja Bir Bikram has been built at the cost of approximately Rs.35 lakh. The Minister also said, the present government is continuing the flow of development for the sole purpose of public welfare. State’s development is being escalated with the sincere efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) officials said that there were no outgoing cargo operations since December 2022 as BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) shut down the old cargo facility due to absence of security vetting, creating difficulties for post offices, courier services and other trade and export related services.

With the starting of cargo operations it would act as a catalyst for growth and would also expedite the movement of perishable goods and products from the state, said MBB Airport Director K.C. Meena.

The MBB Airport in Agartala became ready to operate international flights after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new integrated terminal building on January 4 last year.

According to the AAI officials, the MBB airport, located 10 km North of Agartala city, is the second busiest airport in the Northeast after Guwahati airport in terms of handling of aircraft and passengers.

Built at a cost of Rs 500 crore and with a built-up area of 30,000 square metres, the new integrated terminal building at the MBB airport has been designed to handle 1,500 passengers, including 200 international passengers, during peak hours and it is equipped with all modern amenities.

While, Secretary of Transport department Uttam Kumar Chakma, Director of Airport Authority K. S. Meena also spoke on the occasion. Other dignitaries present there were West Tripura DM & Collector Debapriya Bardhan and Commissioner of Transport department Subrata Choudhury. It is to be noted that the new cargo building has facilities for storage of perishable and non- perishable goods, hazardous goods and cold storage.