Kailashahar airport revival takes off under UDAN scheme

The Airports Authority of India has begun steps to revive Kailashahar Airport in Tripura, aiming to restore operations after 30 years under the Centre’s UDAN connectivity push.

The long-defunct Kailashahar Airport in the Unakoti district of Tripura is being revived by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). A delegation led by AAI’s Northeast Regional Executive Director, M. Raju Krishore, along with MBB Airport (Agartala) Director K C Meena, visited the site to assess its current state and the viability of resuming operations.

Kailashahar Airport, although it has been idle for more than 30 years, is historically significant because of its critical importance during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. However, the current 1,000-metre runway is inadequate for modern aircraft operations. AAI has recommended to the state government two land possibilities to support the necessary expansion, intending to accommodate larger aircraft while maintaining safety standards.

This reactivation is consistent with the Regional Connection Scheme (UDAN), which aims to improve air connectivity in remote locations. The projected Agartala-Kailashahar route is expected to assist residents of Unakoti and neighbouring regions by boosting access and supporting regional development.

Tripura’s Chief Minister, Biplab Kumar Deb, has announced that the national government will likely invest ₹500-600 crore to build Kailashahar Airport. This investment is expected to support construction and related infrastructure improvements, representing a significant step towards strengthening the state’s aviation infrastructure.