Security has been significantly intensified at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala, following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
The move follows directives from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), as part of a nationwide initiative to strengthen surveillance at critical infrastructure points.
Situated just 18 km from Agartala city and close to the India-Bangladesh border, MBB Airport has been designated a hyper-sensitive facility due to its strategic location.
This classification has prompted the implementation of enhanced security protocols to ensure passenger safety and the smooth operation of airport activities.
Airport Director Kailash Chander Meena confirmed that robust security arrangements are now in place. “Given the current alert status, we urge all passengers to arrive at least three hours prior to departure to accommodate extended screening and security checks,” he stated.
While specific details of the measures have not been disclosed for security reasons, Meena reassured the public that the airport remains fully operational, with no impact on flight schedules.
Handling an average of 34 flights daily, MBB is the second busiest airport in the Northeast after Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.
The heightened vigilance at MBB is part of a broader national strategy to safeguard key installations amid geopolitical uncertainties. “We are adhering strictly to threat assessment protocols and have increased security deployment accordingly,” Meena added.
MBB Airport, formerly known as Singerbill Airport, holds historical significance. It was established in 1942 on land donated by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur and served as a base for the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
In July 2018, the airport was renamed in honour of the Maharaja.
In January 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport’s new integrated terminal, constructed at a cost of ₹438 crore. Spanning 30,000 square metres, the terminal is equipped to handle both domestic and international flights during peak hours.
Despite having modern infrastructure suited for international operations, the airport is yet to be accorded international status. The Tripura government continues to advocate for this designation and has proposed launching direct flights between Agartala and Bangladesh to improve regional connectivity.
At present, only Guwahati’s LGBI Airport and Imphal’s Bir Tikendrajit International Airport enjoy international airport status in the Northeast.
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