Manipur flight connectivity may be restored soon

Imphal, Nov 4 (NNN): The Ministry of Civil Aviation has agreed to take immediate steps to restore flight connectivity and control rising airfares from Imphal, following an appeal from Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

The move comes after Bhalla wrote to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on October 30, highlighting the severe hardships faced by people due to the drastic reduction in flight operations between Imphal, Guwahati and Kolkata. He urged urgent intervention to enhance air connectivity, noting that Manipur’s geographical constraints and lack of rail infrastructure make air travel the state’s lifeline.

In his letter, the Governor pointed out that the number of daily flights between Imphal and Guwahati had dropped from five to two, while flights to Kolkata had also reduced from five to two, leaving passengers with limited options and higher costs. He cautioned that the situation was causing immense inconvenience, especially for students, patients, and residents who rely on air travel amid unreliable road connectivity and frequent floods.

Following the Governor’s intervention, BJP MLA L. Susindro Meitei met the Civil Aviation Secretary in New Delhi to raise concerns about the high fares and reduced flight frequency, sources said. After the meeting, the Ministry assured that two new flights will be added soon — one each on the Imphal–Guwahati and Imphal–Kolkata routes. Officials also confirmed that efforts are underway to cap the maximum airfare at around Rs 7,000 to make travel more affordable, the sources added.

Raj Bhavan, in a social media post, said the Governor is closely monitoring the issue to ensure “timely and effective action in the interest of the people of Manipur.”

The development comes at a time when valley residents, particularly from the Meitei community, continue to face restrictions on road travel along national highways despite the Union Home Minister’s earlier direction for “free movement.”