Kailashahar airport in Tripura, which has remained non-operational since the 1971 Indo-Pak war, is set to be revived in the near future. This will become the second airport for the state, complementing Agartala’s Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, and is expected to greatly enhance connectivity for Tripura’s residents and businesses.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has initiated steps to revive the defunct Kailashahar airport in Unakoti district. Following a request from the Tripura state government, AAI Northeast Regional Executive Director M Raju Krishore, accompanied by Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport Director K C Meena, visited the site on May 26 to assess infrastructure, land availability, and visibility conditions. Meena told PTI that the AAI is exploring options to acquire either 75 or 205 acres of land to develop the facility and prepare a revival plan accordingly.
Currently, the Kailashahar airport has a runway length of about 1,000 meters, which is insufficient for operating larger aircraft such as ATRs. The availability and safety of smaller planes that carry 16 to 19 passengers remain a concern, according to officials.
The airport that sent alarm bells ringing
The urgency to restart the airport comes amid reports that Bangladesh is receiving assistance from China to renovate Lalmonirhat Airport, a World War II-era airstrip situated approximately 132 kilometres from India’s strategically critical Chicken’s Neck corridor and just 15 to 20 kilometres from the Indian border. The airport is spread over 1,166 acres and it has a four-kilometre runway and large tarmac.
The Chicken’s Neck corridor is only 22km wide, it connects Northeast India to the rest of India and is considered vital for national security. “There is a fear that this airport will be developed for dual use—civilian and military purposes. It could help China keep a tab on Indian activities whether civilian or military or help them gather intelligence near the Siliguri corridor,” said Sriparna Pathak, China Studies professor at O.P. Jindal University, as quoted by TOI.
The importance of Kailashahar airport
The airport, strategically located in Unakoti district, has been inactive for over 30 years. The airport is only a few kilometres from the Bangladesh border. It played a key role during the 1971 India-Pakistan war when the Indian Air Force conducted missions and surveillance from the site.
Ironically, the Kilo Flight which became the first Bangladesh Airforce unit, commenced its operations from this very airport. They carried out missions using one Chetak, one Armed Otter and one Dakota against the Pakistani forces in erstwhile East Pakistan, according to a PIB press release.
The airport is also meant to act as a deterrent to both Bangladesh and China, making it clear that India will respond decisively to any action that threatens its territorial integrity. While the revival of this airport is being portrayed as a measure to improve air connectivity, and promote economic development, it is also being viewed as an important measure to strengthen India's strategic preparedness in the sensitive 'Chicken's neck' border area.
Officials have indicated that revitalizing Kailashahar Airport will facilitate faster movement of goods and personnel and contribute to strengthening infrastructure near the sensitive border areas. The development also reflects India’s efforts to maintain and enhance its strategic posture in the northeast, particularly as neighboring countries develop their own border infrastructure with international partnerships.
While the revival of Kailashahar Airport is currently in preliminary stages, authorities emphasize that it will primarily serve civilian purposes alongside supporting regional security needs.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has initiated steps to revive the defunct Kailashahar airport in Unakoti district. Following a request from the Tripura state government, AAI Northeast Regional Executive Director M Raju Krishore, accompanied by Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport Director K C Meena, visited the site on May 26 to assess infrastructure, land availability, and visibility conditions. Meena told PTI that the AAI is exploring options to acquire either 75 or 205 acres of land to develop the facility and prepare a revival plan accordingly.
Currently, the Kailashahar airport has a runway length of about 1,000 meters, which is insufficient for operating larger aircraft such as ATRs. The availability and safety of smaller planes that carry 16 to 19 passengers remain a concern, according to officials.
The airport that sent alarm bells ringing
The urgency to restart the airport comes amid reports that Bangladesh is receiving assistance from China to renovate Lalmonirhat Airport, a World War II-era airstrip situated approximately 132 kilometres from India’s strategically critical Chicken’s Neck corridor and just 15 to 20 kilometres from the Indian border. The airport is spread over 1,166 acres and it has a four-kilometre runway and large tarmac.
The Chicken’s Neck corridor is only 22km wide, it connects Northeast India to the rest of India and is considered vital for national security. “There is a fear that this airport will be developed for dual use—civilian and military purposes. It could help China keep a tab on Indian activities whether civilian or military or help them gather intelligence near the Siliguri corridor,” said Sriparna Pathak, China Studies professor at O.P. Jindal University, as quoted by TOI.
The importance of Kailashahar airport
The airport, strategically located in Unakoti district, has been inactive for over 30 years. The airport is only a few kilometres from the Bangladesh border. It played a key role during the 1971 India-Pakistan war when the Indian Air Force conducted missions and surveillance from the site.
Ironically, the Kilo Flight which became the first Bangladesh Airforce unit, commenced its operations from this very airport. They carried out missions using one Chetak, one Armed Otter and one Dakota against the Pakistani forces in erstwhile East Pakistan, according to a PIB press release.
The airport is also meant to act as a deterrent to both Bangladesh and China, making it clear that India will respond decisively to any action that threatens its territorial integrity. While the revival of this airport is being portrayed as a measure to improve air connectivity, and promote economic development, it is also being viewed as an important measure to strengthen India's strategic preparedness in the sensitive 'Chicken's neck' border area.
Officials have indicated that revitalizing Kailashahar Airport will facilitate faster movement of goods and personnel and contribute to strengthening infrastructure near the sensitive border areas. The development also reflects India’s efforts to maintain and enhance its strategic posture in the northeast, particularly as neighboring countries develop their own border infrastructure with international partnerships.
While the revival of Kailashahar Airport is currently in preliminary stages, authorities emphasize that it will primarily serve civilian purposes alongside supporting regional security needs.
You may also like
Tourism to contribute 10 pc of national GDP by 2030: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
UPI share surges to 83.7 pc in digital transactions for FY25
'Pakistan Used Missiles Shown At Defence Exhibition Against India': China Deflects Question On Recovery Of PL-15E Missile
Bridgerton star suffers 'concussion' and left 'traumatised' after theft attack
Dharavi Redevelopment Project's master plan to ensure higher quality of life, robust infra
