Tripura CM Manik Sarkar seeks funds for improving road, air links in state

NEW DELHI: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has asked the Centre to strengthen the road and air connectivity in the state, holding that improving the transport link was key for pushing economic growth of the northeastern region.


Sarkar met Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh and Road Transport Minister Oscar Fernandes separately and sought adequate funds from their ministries for augmenting road and air networks in the city.

In his meeting with Singh yesterday, Sarkar demanded better air connectivity to Tripura and sought routing of the Kolkata-Dhaka flight through Agartala, the capital of Tripura.

Chairman of Airport Authority of India V P Agarwal, who was also present in the meeting, told the Chief Minister that work on construction of a new terminal building in Agartala airport will start within six months.

He also requested Singh to examine making Agartala airport an international one.

In his meeting with Fernandes, Sarkar urged him to improve the road network in the state. He partcularly asked Fernandes to improve the condition of National Highway 44, saying the "life line" of the state is in "bad shape".

Sarkar had met Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday and demanded expeditious implementation of pending rail projects in the state.