Agartala, April 11, 2026: A delegation from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Friday conducted an inspection of the long-abandoned Kailashahar airport, raising concerns over the deteriorating condition of its infrastructure and possible land encroachment.
The team, comprising Agartala Airport Chief Security Officer S.K. Roy, Deputy General Manager (Electrical) Ram Kesh Meena and other officials, arrived in Kailashahar in the afternoon and proceeded directly to the airport premises to assess the overall situation.
During the inspection, officials found several airport buildings in a dilapidated state. Roofs of multiple structures were leaking, leading to water seepage and accelerating damage to the infrastructure. The team also examined the main power supply room and visited the second floor of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) building, where broken window panes and vegetation growth on the rooftop indicated worsening structural degradation.
AAI officials stated that steps would be taken at the earliest to address basic issues such as drinking water and electricity supply within the airport premises. Speaking on the visit, S.K. Roy said the primary objective was to verify whether any encroachment or illegal occupation had taken place on the peripheral land of the airport.
He further noted that the delegation is assessing the availability of land required for potential future operations, in line with the state government’s plans, and preparing a preliminary estimate for securing the area through proper fencing.
The inspection also comes in the wake of recent allegations of land encroachment in the Durgapur area within the airport premises, where some youths were reportedly constructing temporary shelters. The issue had been formally raised by MLA Birjit Sinha of Assembly Constituency No. 53. The delegation visited the site and confirmed the veracity of the claims.
Following the inspection, AAI has indicated that further steps will be taken soon regarding the feasibility of reopening the airport and undertaking necessary restoration and security measures.
