Agartala, Dec 22: The recent surge in airfares on the Kolkata-Agartala route has made flights unaffordable for many passengers traveling to Tripura. This price hike has left thousands of travelers, including B.Ed students who have just completed their semester exams in Kolkata, in a difficult situation.

According to the passengers, the rail tickets are also sold out days in advance and the trains are overcrowded, due to which returning home has become a major challenge.

Many students who gathered at Sealdah station early on Sunday morning, around 3 am, hoping to board the Agartala-bound Kanchanjunga Express found that the general compartments were packed beyond capacity.

As their return to the state becomes uncertain due to the steep rise in airfares, passengers have expressed frustration.