Khurai MLA L. Susindro Meitei (Yaima) has written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation requesting that airfare on the Imphal–Guwahati sector be kept “below Rs. 7,000” during normal travel periods — a proposal that has landed with more comic effect than policy weight, given the short 35-minute duration of the flight.
In his letter to Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, Susindro expressed warm appreciation for the Ministry’s recent move to introduce an additional Imphal–Guwahati–Delhi flight at 17:25 hrs and increase aircraft seating capacity from 180 to 232.
He praised the Ministry’s “prompt and positive response” to his earlier representation and acknowledged that enhanced connectivity would benefit students, patients, business travellers and those seeking medical care outside the state.
But it was his call for “rationalised and regulated airfare” that drew the most attention — particularly his suggestion that fares remain under Rs. 7,000 during normal travel periods.
For a route barely 35 minutes long, the MLA’s idea of affordability struck an odd note, almost as if he were defending a luxury purchase rather than advocating for accessible public travel.
Susindro argued that stabilising prices would encourage mobility and align with the spirit of the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
But in attempting to push for relief, he inadvertently highlighted the absurdity of the current scenario; when “below Rs. 7K” is considered a fair deal for a hop from Imphal to Guwahati, the crisis is not just about regulation, it’s about reconciling aviation policy with ground reality.
The MLA’s letter was meant to convey gratitude and concern, but it ended up sparking chuckles over the gap between what is framed as affordable and what travellers actually face.
With airfare expectations now sounding like luxury rate cards, even Susindro’s version of “cheap” feels like an upgraded class no one asked for.
