Airlift by U. S. planes to be ended
“The Times of India News Service”, NEW DELHI, July 19 : The Union Government has decided not to ask for the continued use of four U. S. transport planes which have been airlifting refugees from Agartala to Gauhati. The reasons: the heavy cost and the onset of the monsoon.
The one month mission of the U. S. planes ended on July 17. Though the U. S. authorities are willing to continue the airlift, the Union Government feels it is not worthwhile. Now IAF planes will be deployed on this route.
Last month barely 23,000 refugees were airlifted from Agartala to Gauhati at a staggering cost of $850,000. This money is being deducted from the overall quantum of U.S. aid. The Union Government feels that the limited aid available should be used in a better fashion. According to the original plan, the four C-130s were to fly four times daily between Guwahati and Agartala., making a total of 120 flights a month. But because of monsoons conditions over 40 flights had to be canceled. The weather has worsened since.
NO MATERIAL ROLE
It is quite clear that airlift cannot play any material role in the dispersal of 10 lakh refugees who have swamped Tripura. The Centre has already decided to set up 10 camps in the interior of Tripura to accommodate five lakhs refugees. Instead of trying to move these refugees out of the Union Territory, the Government has reconciled itself to dispersing them in an orderly fashion within Tripura. So the continuation of the airlift – by IAF planes – will be largely a political gesture.
Because of the long distance of 130 miles from the Dharmanagar railhead to Agartala it is difficult to move food and medicines to Tripura by rail. U.S. planes have played an important role in keeping the pipeline running and have moved 1,700 tonnes of foodgrains, Nevertheless the ratio of pulses and cereals has had to be cut.
The Government now feels it can dispense with U.S. planes because the strength of the truck fleet operating between Agartala and Dharmanagar has been increased from 30 to 200 vehicles.
The two Russian aircraft which are operating mainly between West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, will continue to be deployed for some time. The Russian mission is scheduled to last two months. The monsoon has not affected it adversely.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 20.07.1971