Kailashahar Airport
Details: The Old Kailashahar Airport (IXH/VEKR) is a non-operational airfield with profound historical significance, notably serving as a critical strategic airbase during World War II and, more importantly, as the launchpad for the Mukti Bahini's legendary 'Kilo Flight' during the 1971 Bangladesh L iberation War; the abandoned site, with its single, decaying asphalt runway, is currently undergoing discussions for revival under the UDAN scheme and as a potential strategic defense outpost, making it a powerful symbol of the region's geopolitical history and a monument to the shared struggle for liberation:
General information
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Ideal Duration:
Exploration Time: 45 Minutes - 1 HourPlace Type:
History, Geopolitics, Landmark:Entry Fees:
Public Access/Free: No official entry fee, as it is a decommissioned airport owned by the AAI; access is generally open to the perimeter and surrounding areas, but entering the actual fenced-off runway may be restricted for safety or future development reasons; respect any...Public Access/Free: No official entry fee, as it is a decommissioned airport owned by the AAI; access is generally open to the perimeter and surrounding areas, but entering the actual fenced-off runway may be restricted for safety or future development reasons; respect any temporary fencing or guard presence;
essentially a free historical viewing spot:Timing:
Daylight Hours: The best time for access and photography is during Daylight Hours;
Ideal Visit Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; best in the Winter months for clear visibility and comfortable walking along the field edges;
Read MoreDaylight Hours: The best time for access and photography is during Daylight Hours;
Ideal Visit Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; best in the Winter months for clear visibility and comfortable walking along the field edges;
avoid the pre-monsoon heat of May:Special Events:
Anniversary Commemorations: Although non-operational, local groups and military veterans occasionally gather at the site on key historical dates, such as Vijay Diwas (December 16th) or days marking the start of the 1971 war operations, to pay tribute to the soldiers and the ...Anniversary Commemorations: Although non-operational, local groups and military veterans occasionally gather at the site on key historical dates, such as Vijay Diwas (December 16th) or days marking the start of the 1971 war operations, to pay tribute to the soldiers and the 'Kilo Flight' airmen who operated from the base:Best Photo Spots:
Runway Horizon: Take a low-angle shot along the length of the runway to emphasize its vastness and non-operational status;
Structural Decay: Focus on the cracked asphalt and the overgrown vegetation around the edges to highlight the passage ...Runway Horizon: Take a low-angle shot along the length of the runway to emphasize its vastness and non-operational status;
Structural Decay: Focus on the cracked asphalt and the overgrown vegetation around the edges to highlight the passage of time;
Signage or Gate: Capture the entry point or any remnants of official signage for a sense of historical context:Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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Activities:
Historical Reflection: Walk the perimeter of the defunct runway and reflect on its military history, especially the 1971 war operations;
Aviation Photography: Capture the vast, open space of the non-operational runway as a dramatic subject;
Future Study: Research the ongoing revival plans (UDAN scheme/military use) and how it will impact local infrastructure;
Simple Nature Walk: Enjoy the open, airy expanse, which is often surrounded by fields and quiet nature;
Local Interaction: Speak with the nearby residents who witnessed the airport's operational phases in the 1970s and 1980s:...
Information
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Why Famous:
1971 War Heritage: Highly famous for its indispensable role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, specifically as the base where the 'Kilo Flight'—the nascent air wing of the Mukti Bahini—was launched, establishing the airport as a key military history landmark, symboli...1971 War Heritage: Highly famous for its indispensable role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, specifically as the base where the 'Kilo Flight'—the nascent air wing of the Mukti Bahini—was launched, establishing the airport as a key military history landmark, symbolizing the regional solidarity and the strategic importance of Tripura in the war effort against Pakistan: -
Architecture:
Military and Civil Engineering: The airport features a single asphalt runway (Direction 03/21) with an existing length of approximately 1,006 meters (3,300 feet), designed for smaller aircraft, with an elevation of 24 meters above sea level; the architecture is purely funct...Military and Civil Engineering: The airport features a single asphalt runway (Direction 03/21) with an existing length of approximately 1,006 meters (3,300 feet), designed for smaller aircraft, with an elevation of 24 meters above sea level; the architecture is purely functional airfield engineering, consisting of the long, paved strip and remnants of smaller terminal/operations buildings and perimeter fencing, with the vast, open field area being its primary physical dimension, speaking volumes about its military and logistical purpose: -
How To Reach:
Historical Site Access:
By Air: Nearest is Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport (IXA), Agartala (approx. 150 KMS);
By Train: Nearest is Kumarghat Railway Station (approx. 27 KMS);
By Ro... -
Near Tourist Places:
Unakoti Heritage Site (10 KMS), Kailashahar Palace (Ruins) (6 KMS), Deb Place (5 KMS), Juri River Bank (4 KMS), Lakhi Narayan Bari (5 KMS), Khowrabil Lake (10 KMS), Chouddo Devotar Mandir (8 KMS), Ham Ham Waterfall (Trailhead 15 KMS), Bhanu Sagar Lake (10 KMS), Tripura Tea Estate (3 KMS)
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety: The area is vast, so carry a map or use GPS; be cautious of uneven surfaces on the old runway;
Packing: Binoculars for viewing the long distance, comfortable shoes, and a hat;
Accommodation:
Reviews
Information about New and Updated Locations(150+) of Tripura Has Been Added :-
Card subtitle
TripuraAgartalaAmarpurAmbassaBeloniaBishalgarhChabimuraChailengtaChampaknagarDevtamuraDharmanagarGandacharraGomatiJiraniaJolaibariKailashaharPilakRudrasagarMore PlacesNote:-
Information provided here in good Faith and for reference only.
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