Agartala: In response to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, security has been significantly tightened at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala, officials confirmed.
The move follows directives from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), aligning with nationwide efforts to enhance vigilance at key infrastructure.
Located just 18 km from Agartala city and close to the India-Bangladesh border, MBB Airport is designated a hyper-sensitive facility, making it a strategic point of concern during geopolitical escalations.
Airport Director Kailash Chander Meena stated that comprehensive security protocols are now in place to ensure the safety of passengers and airport operations.
“In view of the current alert, all passengers are advised to arrive at least three hours prior to departure to accommodate extended screening and security checks,” Meena said.
While specific details of the enhanced security arrangements were not disclosed for operational reasons, Meena assured that the airport remains fully secure and operational, with no disruption to flight schedules.
On average, the airport handles 34 flights daily, making it the second busiest airport in the Northeast after Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport.
The airport’s increased security posture is part of a broader national response, with airports and key installations across India placed under heightened surveillance.
“We are strictly adhering to threat assessment protocols and have intensified our security deployment accordingly,” the director added.
MBB Airport, formerly known as Singerbill Airport, holds strategic historical significance.
Built in 1942 on land donated by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, the airport served as a base for the Royal Air Force during World War II.
It was renamed in the Maharaja’s honour in July 2018.
In January 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport’s new integrated terminal, constructed at a cost of Rs. 438 crore.
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Spanning 30,000 square metres, the terminal is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights simultaneously during peak hours.
Despite its infrastructure readiness, MBB is yet to receive international airport status.
The Tripura government has been actively lobbying for the upgrade and has proposed introducing direct flights between Agartala and Bangladesh, aiming to strengthen regional connectivity.
Currently, only LGBI Airport in Guwahati and Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal hold international status in the Northeast.
