Air Force Station In India

Kumbhigram Air Force Station

Kumbhigram AFS remains an important airbase used by the Indian Air Forces to operate from the northeastern part of the country. Having been renamed to Silchar Airport after its commercialization to open the airport for general masses through its commercial operation, this airbase has been playing dual role in this region for the national security training and through proving helpful for commercial aviation operation as well as exclusive for Air Force training.

Located at the 352 ft.,/107m elevation with geographic coordination at 24°54′47″ N092°58′43″E, today’s Silchar Airport or Kumbhigram AFS remains in the limelight in Assam state for serving the masses as well as military in its dual roles. This airport is owned by the Indian Air Forces but Airports Authority of India operates it alongside the Indian Air Force to systematize Air Force training besides helping to support the commercial aviation in this region to serve Silchar, Hailakandi and Karimganj areas in the northeastern India.

History

Kumbhigram AFS has its enriched history with the phased developments happened since the establishment of an airbase turning into a full-fledged airport over the period. Now renamed to Silchar Airport, it incepted in the form of an airbase in the northeastern state Assam’s Silchar region before independence. British developed this airbase during 1944 for their Air Forces during the Second World War. This airbase had also become a civil enclave airport later and did come under the Indian Air Force control soon after India attained independence from the colonial rule. The beauty of this airport is also well observed from the unique location at Barail range foothills in the state making it scenic and amazing place to explore.

By now Kumbhigram AFS or Silchar Airport of today has already emerged into one of the busiest airports in the northeastern region at the fourth position. Guwahati, Agartala and Imphal are the rest three at first, second and third positions. One of the recent estimation done recently concluded that Silchar Airport has the capacity to handle approximately 230,000 passengers on annual basis.

Present day Kumbhigram AFS or Silchar Airport welcomes nearby 30 flights on the weekly basis to connect rest northeastern cities namely Imphal, Guwahati, Jorhat, Agartala and the biggest eastern metropolitan city of Kolkata in the nearby state of West Bengal respectively. This airport welcomed many developmental initiatives since last few decades from being equipped with Instrument Landing System and the facilities for night landing which turn it one of the modern airports in India.

In the future plans to develop Kumbhigram AFS, the authorities have already chalked out a plan to setup modern integrated terminal in this airport that would offer best facilities to passengers to enjoy maximum comfort and accommodation.

Runways

Kumbhigram AFS has a modern runway nowadays. It is an extension of the old runway which had been developed recently. The last one decade has also welcomed several major developments including the modernization of runway. Two conveyer belts are also setup on the airport for the passenger comfort.

Units at Kumbhigram AFS Base

Although Kumbhigram AFS has a single domestic terminal but it caters to the needs of both civilian and military. The units located here involve in the Air Force training activities. Equally do the masses travelling to this domestic sector enjoy modern facilities and amenities which have been developed recently. Four check-in counters of this terminal can now handle approximately 300 passengers in one go.

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