Tripura Congress leaders condemned rising airfares and reduced flight services on November 10, calling for immediate government intervention to ease financial strain on travelers. The party’s focus was on the Agartala-Kolkata route, where fares have surged from Rs 3,500-6,500 to a staggering Rs 13,000-15,000 for the short 327-kilometre journey. Accusing the BJP-led government of neglecting passenger welfare, the Pradesh Congress Committee’s statement read, “PM Modi’s promise to make Tripura a ‘HIRA’ state remains unfulfilled, as air travel has become unaffordable for middle-class families.”
Flight connectivity has dwindled, with Indigo discontinuing two flights in October, while Air India suspended two in August and is set to withdraw another on December 1. Congress leaders pointed to BJP’s unfulfilled 2018 promises, including improved healthcare and education facilities. “Due to healthcare failures, people are forced to seek treatment outside the country,” they stated.
Reduced flight options affect students, job seekers, and patients, with Congress calling for fare rollbacks and new, affordable services. “The government’s inaction is enabling airlines to profit at citizens’ expense. This so-called ‘double-engine government’ has proven ineffective, inefficient, and corrupt,” added the Congress, demanding government measures to address the fare crisis.
