Reported by Mrinal Kanti Banik
Agartala: Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport is moving steadily towards carbon-neutral operations by expanding its renewable energy capacity and strengthening sustainability initiatives, Airport Director K.M. Nehra said on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference ahead of Yatri Suvidha Diwas, to be observed on June 15, Nehra outlined the airport’s dual focus on environmental sustainability and enhanced passenger services.
He said the airport has significantly increased its reliance on solar energy. A 250-kilowatt rooftop solar plant commissioned in 2019 has already generated around 2.2 lakh units of electricity. In addition, a 60-kilowatt solar installation added this year has produced nearly 76,000 units so far.
Plans are also underway to establish a 1,600-kilowatt ground-mounted solar power project by 2027. Once operational, it is expected to generate approximately 21 lakh units annually and reduce electricity expenditure by nearly Rs 2 crore.
Nehra further stated that since 2025, the airport has been operating entirely on renewable energy, completely phasing out coal and diesel-based electricity sources.
On operational capacity, he said MBB Airport is equipped for round-the-clock flight operations, including night landings. The airport already has infrastructure in place for international connectivity, including immigration and customs facilities along with separate arrival and departure areas.
He added that airlines can also use the facility for overnight aircraft parking, further strengthening operational flexibility.
Highlighting growth over the past decade, Nehra said air connectivity from Agartala has expanded substantially. In 2014, flights were largely limited to Kolkata and, whereas the airport now connects to major cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Imphal.
Passenger traffic has doubled in the last decade, rising from around eight lakhs in 2014–15 to nearly 15 lakhs in 2025-26. Aircraft movements have increased from about 6,500 annually to nearly 11,000, while cargo handling has tripled from 2,000 metric tons to around 6,000 metric tons.
He said the integrated terminal, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, can handle up to 30 lakh passengers annually, while the cargo facility has a capacity of 40,000 metric tonnes.
The airport has also introduced several passenger-friendly services, including Digi Yatra for contactless travel, free Wi-Fi, self-check-in kiosks, childcare facilities, prayer rooms, sanitary napkin vending machines and EV charging stations.
At present, the airport operates 20 check-in counters and four aerobridges, with most passengers boarding directly through aerobridge access. Dedicated help desks have also been set up to assist first-time flyers.
Nehra added that efforts are underway to reduce baggage delivery time, with the aim of ensuring passengers receive their luggage within seven to eight minutes of arrival.
New facilities include the Udaan Yatri Café, self-help group product stalls, a children’s play zone, and a “Flybrary” service that allows passengers to borrow books and return them at participating airports.
As part of Yatri Suvidha Diwas celebrations, the airport will also host a blood donation camp, health check-up drive for drivers and workers, cultural programmes and a sit-and-draw competition for passengers at the terminal.