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Airports and air connectivity in Orissa

Air Deccan, Air India/Indian, Airports, Airports and air connectivity, BBSR-Bangalore, BBSR-Chennai, BBSR-Delhi, BBSR-Hyderabad, BBSR-Kolkata, BBSR-Mumbai, BBSR-Raipur, BBSR-Vizag, Bhubaneswar, Indigo, Jetlite, Jharsuguda, Khordha, Kingfisher, Others, Rourkela, Sky Airways chitta May 20th. 2007, 1:37am

One Response to “Airports and air connectivity in Orissa”

• 1

  sambit Says:
  April 24th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
  

  Hi Mr. Chitta
  I got an article published in The Statesman. I really wonder why the government is so keen to establish an airport in Jhasuguda. It barely has a population of may be 1 lac ?? Does it really need an airport. Where as Rourkela needs an airport for so many reasons. Request you to highlight this issue on your website.

  ROURKELA, April. 23: The much awaited expansion and modernisation of the existing airstrip at Rourkela to a fully functional airport seems to have been put in cold storage.
  The airstrip at Rourkela is maintained and managed by Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). It was set up by another steel major Tisco. The Tatas had interest in this area as they wanted dolomite for their steel unit. This was set for facilitating the movement of its officials in this area during the quarrying days. However, once Tatas stopped their operation the airstrip was handed over to the state government and in due course it came into the possession of RSP and since then it is being maintained by RSP.
  After the grand revival of RSP and simultaneous industrialisation of Sundergarh district gave rise to the need of a fully functional airstrip with regular flight connection to Rourkela. A persistent demand for regular flight connection to Rourkela thus came to the fore. Some private operators also showed interest to start tri weekly flight.
  The Airport Authority of India (AAI), showed interest in developing the Rourkela airport to a level where bigger aircraft can land. Last year a team officials discussed the project with RSP authorities here.
  But an year later nothing has moved. Neither the AAI or nor the state government or any agency have sincerely followed the project.
  The focus has apparently shifted to neighbouring Jharsuguda, district where an airstrip has been lying unused for several decades. Reliable sources say the AAI is not keen to work on two airports in such short distances and hence if Jharsuguda were to be developed the one at Rourkela will be abandoned.
  But, an airport for Rourkela is becoming a necessity, with RSP it has one another big unit in OCL India Ltd. At Rajgangpur also Adhunik Group has set up a middle integrated steel plant and there are over 40 functional sponge iron units in the district. Besides, some more medium and large units are being planned out here. Rourkela houses the prestigious NIT and 5 other technical colleges.
  Last year a few major events at the NIT and other major technical institutes here could not be conducted as experts were reluctant to come to Rourkela due to poor connectivity. Even the prestigious Vedvyas Dance Festival is failing to attract many renowned artists, though they are interested to perform here in the five day event, as Rourkela lacks air facility.
  Three state governments ~ Orissa, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand share border and all the three face the menace of MCC movement. On many occasions the Rourkela airstrip is being put use for strategic reasons. During the last Bansjor operation, when over 300 MCC activists fought with 20 police officials and 10 of them were critically injured and received treatment at IGH and later on were airlifted from here to Ranchi. From time to time this airport is proving its importance.