By TC News Desk
Agartala, 10th November 2024: The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has called on the state government to intervene in the sharp rise of airfares, urging them to ensure that air services cater to the needs of regular passengers. The party also took aim at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of failing to fulfill key promises made during the 2018 assembly elections.
In a statement, the Congress highlighted the BJP’s unkept commitments, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise to make Tripura a ‘HIRA’ state (Highways, Internet, Railways, and Airways). The Congress claimed that these promises, now exposed as false, have left the state’s residents struggling with rising costs and inadequate services.
“PM Modi’s promise to make Tripura a ‘HIRA’ state has turned out to be a blatant lie. Airfares, instead of being affordable, have become increasingly unaffordable for the middle class,” the statement read. The party also criticized the BJP for failing to establish a medical and education hub, with the state’s healthcare system in collapse and people now forced to seek treatment abroad. Similarly, students and citizens are compelled to rely on air travel for education, job opportunities, and urgent matters.
The Congress also raised concerns over the reduction in air services, pointing out that airlines like Indigo and Air India have already discontinued several flights, with further suspensions planned. As of October, Indigo ceased two flights, and Air India plans to cancel another flight starting December 1st.
The statement further criticized the drastic increase in airfares on the Agartala-Kolkata route, which covers a distance of just 327 km and usually takes 40-45 minutes. While the fares once ranged from Rs. 3500 to Rs. 6500, passengers are now being charged between Rs. 13,000 and Rs. 15,000 due to the airlines’ exploitation of the public’s dependence on air travel. The Congress blamed the government for failing to address this issue, accusing them of allowing airlines to profit at the expense of the state’s residents.
The Congress party has demanded that airlines immediately roll back these exorbitant fare hikes and regulate prices in line with other parts of the country. They also called for the government to ensure that air services continue to meet the needs of passengers and that new services are introduced at more affordable fares.
“The central and state governments must consider the economic conditions of the people and take urgent steps to lower airfares and improve services for the general public,” the statement concluded.
