Manipur’s airfare crisis: When the only way out is beyond reach
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Dr S Anjali Chanu
Today, air travel is no longer a luxury for the people of Manipur. It is a necessity. For more than three years, road travel is practically impossible for many people because of the ongoing situation, and Manipur still has no railway connection. This has left air travel as the only dependable way to enter or leave the State. During the same period, the State’s economy has weakened. Many people have lost income, businesses have struggled, and the cost of living has increased. Yet, instead of becoming more affordable, flight fares have continued to rise. This raises a simple but important question: when people’s incomes are falling and flights are the only option, why are airfares becoming more expensive instead of cheaper ?
This is a simple but important question. Normally, airlines say that ticket prices increase when demand is high. But Manipur is not a normal case. People are not choosing to fly because they want comfort or convenience. They are flying because they have no other practical choice. Students need to travel for their education. Patients need to travel for medical treatment. Job seekers must attend interviews. Families need to visit loved ones during emergencies. Every day, thousands of people depend on flights to reach the rest of the country. When air travel becomes the only lifeline, should it be treated like any other business ? The Government has a responsibility to protect the interests of its citizens.
If road transport remains unavailable for a long time, affordable air travel becomes a public necessity. The people of Manipur have every right to ask these questions. As citizens of India, they have the Constitutional right to move freely across the country, the right to express their concerns, and the right to seek accountability from public authorities. The people have the right to ask:
* Why are flight fares increasing when people have no alternative ?
* Has the Government asked airlines to increase the number of flights ?
* Has any effort been made to reduce ticket prices for the public ?
* Has the Govt discussed fare regulation during this long period of crisis ?
* Why has there been no lasting solution after so many years ?
These are not political questions. They are questions about public welfare and Constitutional responsibility. If these concerns remain unanswered, citizens can take lawful and democratic action. They can submit petitions to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and other public authorities. Citizen can file applications under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to seek information on Government action or can approach their elected representatives. It is possible to seek legal remedies before the Courts through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
A democracy is strengthened when citizens ask questions and Governments answer them with transparency and action. These questions are not raised to create political controversy. They are raised because they affect the daily lives of ordinary people. Every student, patient, worker, business owner, and family in Manipur deserve access to safe and affordable travel. The people of Manipur are not asking for special privileges. They are asking to be treated fairly, just like every other citizen of India. When air travel becomes the only practical way to leave or enter the State, it should not become unaffordable for ordinary people.
Affordable transportation is more than a matter of convenience. It is essential for education, healthcare, employment, business, and family life. No citizen should have to cancel medical treatment, miss an important examination, lose a job opportunity, or stay away from loved ones simply because the cost of a flight is beyond their means. The Government, the Civil Aviation authorities, and the airlines should work together to find a practical solution. Increasing the number of flights, improving competition, introducing special fare protections during prolonged disruptions, and making pricing more transparent are all measures that deserve serious consideration.
However, an important question remains unanswered: Why has there been so little public communication on this issue? When thousands of people are affected every day, why are citizens not being informed about what action, if any, is being taken ? If discussions are taking place with airlines, the public deserves to know. If proposals have been made to reduce fares or increase flights, they should be shared openly. If there are obstacles preventing a solution, those cha- llenges should also be explained honestly. Silence only creates frustration and uncertainty. In a democracy, transparency builds trust. People are not asking for promises. They are asking for clear information, responsible action, and mea- surable results. The people of Manipur have carried the burden of this crisis for years.
They deserve more than silence. They deserve answers, accountability, and a genuine commitment to making air travel affordable when it is the only available lifeline.
The people of Manipur have waited for years. They have faced many difficulties and have carried the burden of the ongoing crisis. Now it is time for the Govt and the authorities concerned to act with honesty, transparency, and responsibility. The people have asked important questions. They deserve clear answers. More than that, they deserve real and lasting solutions. At the same time, we, the people, should also ask ourselves some questions.
If we stay silent today, who will speak for us tomorrow ? If we do not question those in authority, who will ? If we accept high flight fares as normal, will our children and future generations have to face the same problem? Why should the people of Manipur continue to suffer when air travel is the only reliable way to travel in and out of the State? Have we done enough as responsible citizens ? Have we written to our elected representatives ? Have we filed RTI applications ? Have we signed peti- tions or raised our voices through peaceful and lawful means ?
A democracy becomes stronger when its people ask questions and demand accountability. Every citizen has the right to speak, to question, and to seek answers from those in power.
Change will not come through silence. It will come when people stand together, raise their voices peacefully, and ask for fairness and justice. The time to ask questions is now. The time to demand answers is now. And the time to work for a better future for Manipur is now.
Today, air travel is no longer a luxury for the people of Manipur. It is a necessity. For more than three years, road travel is practically impossible for many people because of the ongoing situation, and Manipur still has no railway connection. This has left air travel as the only dependable way to enter or leave the State. During the same period, the State’s economy has weakened. Many people have lost income, businesses have struggled, and the cost of living has increased. Yet, instead of becoming more affordable, flight fares have continued to rise. This raises a simple but important question: when people’s incomes are falling and flights are the only option, why are airfares becoming more expensive instead of cheaper ?
This is a simple but important question. Normally, airlines say that ticket prices increase when demand is high. But Manipur is not a normal case. People are not choosing to fly because they want comfort or convenience. They are flying because they have no other practical choice. Students need to travel for their education. Patients need to travel for medical treatment. Job seekers must attend interviews. Families need to visit loved ones during emergencies. Every day, thousands of people depend on flights to reach the rest of the country. When air travel becomes the only lifeline, should it be treated like any other business ? The Government has a responsibility to protect the interests of its citizens.
If road transport remains unavailable for a long time, affordable air travel becomes a public necessity. The people of Manipur have every right to ask these questions. As citizens of India, they have the Constitutional right to move freely across the country, the right to express their concerns, and the right to seek accountability from public authorities. The people have the right to ask:
* Why are flight fares increasing when people have no alternative ?
* Has the Government asked airlines to increase the number of flights ?
* Has any effort been made to reduce ticket prices for the public ?
* Has the Govt discussed fare regulation during this long period of crisis ?
* Why has there been no lasting solution after so many years ?
These are not political questions. They are questions about public welfare and Constitutional responsibility. If these concerns remain unanswered, citizens can take lawful and democratic action. They can submit petitions to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and other public authorities. Citizen can file applications under the Right to Information (RTI) Act to seek information on Government action or can approach their elected representatives. It is possible to seek legal remedies before the Courts through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
A democracy is strengthened when citizens ask questions and Governments answer them with transparency and action. These questions are not raised to create political controversy. They are raised because they affect the daily lives of ordinary people. Every student, patient, worker, business owner, and family in Manipur deserve access to safe and affordable travel. The people of Manipur are not asking for special privileges. They are asking to be treated fairly, just like every other citizen of India. When air travel becomes the only practical way to leave or enter the State, it should not become unaffordable for ordinary people.
Affordable transportation is more than a matter of convenience. It is essential for education, healthcare, employment, business, and family life. No citizen should have to cancel medical treatment, miss an important examination, lose a job opportunity, or stay away from loved ones simply because the cost of a flight is beyond their means. The Government, the Civil Aviation authorities, and the airlines should work together to find a practical solution. Increasing the number of flights, improving competition, introducing special fare protections during prolonged disruptions, and making pricing more transparent are all measures that deserve serious consideration.
However, an important question remains unanswered: Why has there been so little public communication on this issue? When thousands of people are affected every day, why are citizens not being informed about what action, if any, is being taken ? If discussions are taking place with airlines, the public deserves to know. If proposals have been made to reduce fares or increase flights, they should be shared openly. If there are obstacles preventing a solution, those cha- llenges should also be explained honestly. Silence only creates frustration and uncertainty. In a democracy, transparency builds trust. People are not asking for promises. They are asking for clear information, responsible action, and mea- surable results. The people of Manipur have carried the burden of this crisis for years.
They deserve more than silence. They deserve answers, accountability, and a genuine commitment to making air travel affordable when it is the only available lifeline.
The people of Manipur have waited for years. They have faced many difficulties and have carried the burden of the ongoing crisis. Now it is time for the Govt and the authorities concerned to act with honesty, transparency, and responsibility. The people have asked important questions. They deserve clear answers. More than that, they deserve real and lasting solutions. At the same time, we, the people, should also ask ourselves some questions.
If we stay silent today, who will speak for us tomorrow ? If we do not question those in authority, who will ? If we accept high flight fares as normal, will our children and future generations have to face the same problem? Why should the people of Manipur continue to suffer when air travel is the only reliable way to travel in and out of the State? Have we done enough as responsible citizens ? Have we written to our elected representatives ? Have we filed RTI applications ? Have we signed peti- tions or raised our voices through peaceful and lawful means ?
A democracy becomes stronger when its people ask questions and demand accountability. Every citizen has the right to speak, to question, and to seek answers from those in power.
Change will not come through silence. It will come when people stand together, raise their voices peacefully, and ask for fairness and justice. The time to ask questions is now. The time to demand answers is now. And the time to work for a better future for Manipur is now.