Aviation Demands for Odisha: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Member of Parliament, Dr. Sasmit Patra, has raised multiple demands in the Rajya Sabha before the Union Civil Aviation Minister, urging urgent development and expansion of airports and airstrips across Odisha. His requests aim to enhance air connectivity, boost tourism, and strengthen disaster management infrastructure in the state.
Fast-Tracking Puri International Airport
Dr. Patra has emphasized the immediate need for fast-tracking the proposed International Airport in Puri. He called for direct international connectivity to Southeast Asia and the Middle East to facilitate tourism and trade growth. He urged the Centre to resolve delays in land acquisition and environmental clearances on a priority basis.
Expansion of Jharsuguda Airport
The MP highlighted the rapid growth of Jharsuguda Airport under the UDAN scheme and stressed the need for further expansion. He demanded night landing facilities, cargo terminals, and additional runways to boost regional and international connectivity.
Direct International Connectivity from Bhubaneswar
Dr. Patra expressed concerns over the underutilization of Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. He urged the inclusion of more direct flights to major global hubs such as Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok, along with enhanced bilateral air service agreements to improve international connectivity.
Strengthening Rourkela Airport
Recognizing Rourkela’s critical role in Odisha’s industrial sector, the MP pushed for its inclusion under the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) expansion plans. He advocated for the development of cargo and commercial aviation facilities to support the steel and manufacturing industries in the region.
Priority Development of Rangeilunda Airport
Dr. Patra urged the government to expedite the long-pending development of Rangeilunda Airport in southern Odisha. Given its strategic importance in connecting underdeveloped regions of Ganjam and southern Odisha to the national aviation network, he called for urgent funding and regulatory clearances under the UDAN scheme.
Revival and Upgradation of Airstrips in Odisha
The BJD leader also pressed for the operationalization of several existing airstrips in Odisha, including those in Jeypore, Utkela, and Baripada. He emphasized their role in enhancing intra-state connectivity and providing better access to remote and tribal regions. He urged the government to allocate a special package to integrate these airstrips into the national aviation network.
Coastal Surveillance and Disaster Response Aviation Support
Highlighting Odisha’s vulnerability to cyclones and natural disasters, Dr. Patra called for the establishment of dedicated aviation-based disaster response and coastal surveillance units in Bhubaneswar and Paradip. He recommended the stationing of a specialized squadron of disaster-response helicopters and drones in Odisha to ensure rapid deployment during emergencies.
Dr. Patra’s demands, raised in the Rajya Sabha, underscore the urgent need for aviation infrastructure development in Odisha to support economic growth, tourism, and disaster management. The ball is now in the Union Civil Aviation Ministry’s court to take swift action on these crucial demands.
