Odisha to Boost Aviation Network with 4 New Airstrips in Western Region

Odisha to Boost Aviation Network with 4 New Airstrips in Western Region

The Odisha state government is set to establish four new airstrips in Western Odisha, increasing the total number of airports in the region to eight. The new airstrips will be located in Jamadarpali (Sambalpur), Satibhata (Bargarh), Gotma (Nuapada), and Tusura (Bolangir), according to reports.

Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena made this announcement in the State Assembly while responding to a question from Bolangir MLA Kalikesh Singh Deo. Currently, there are four operational airports in Western Odisha: Jeypore Airport (Koraput), Veer Surendra Sai Airport (Jharsuguda), Rourkela Airport (Sundargarh), and an airstrip at Utkela (Kalahandi). All these airports have direct flights to Bhubaneswar.

During the Assembly session, Minister Jena also revealed plans to upgrade Jeypore Airport from a 2B category to a 3C category. This upgrade will require approximately 229.4 acres of land and an allocation of Rs 64.4 crore. Additionally, the Tusura airport in Bolangir will be upgraded to a 2B category, with Rs 65 crore sanctioned for its development. The delays in these projects have been primarily due to land acquisition and aerodrome licensing issues.

Furthermore, the state government has plans for four more airports in the central, north, and west-central regions of Odisha. These will be located at Raisuan and Barbil in Keonjhar district, Gudari in Kandhamal, and Dandabos and Amarda in Mayurbhanj district.

In a bid to boost industrial growth and strengthen the aviation network in coastal areas, the state budget has also made provisions for the establishment of a Greenfield airport in Paradip. This airport will play a key role in promoting industry, as well as export and import activities, in the region's industrial clusters.