Odisha Speeds Up Process To Bring Back Biju Patnaik's Dakota Aircraft, Invites Tender Bids

The Odisha Government has initiated the process to bring back the iconic aircraft of Biju Patnaik which is reportedly lying in a neglected condition at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport in Kolkata.

The State Transport and Commerce Department has floated tender or Request For Proposal (RFP) for the shifting of old Dakota (DC-3) Aircraft from NSCBI Airport to Bhubaneswar.

In a letter to the Additional Secretary (Technical) of the Odisha Works Department, OSD Chief Engineer (Buildings), said, “The Government of Odisha, Commerce & Transport Department is looking for experience qualified firms to provide the service for disassemble, transportation, assembly, restoration and interior/exterior renovation of an old Dakota aircraft.”

The Dakota aircraft, which belonged to the erstwhile Kalinga Airlines owned by Patnaik, will be displayed as a museum object in Bhubaneswar after necessary restoration and renovation to commemorate the legacy and legendary heroics of Patnaik, read the letter.

The tender documents can be downloaded from the official website of Odisha Government and submitted in the office of Director of Aviation of the State Government at Old Terminal Building in Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar.

Biju Patnaik had used the aircraft to rescue the former Indonesia President and then Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir from the Dutch military back in 1947.