Flight services to 10 more places in Odisha sought under UDAN scheme

A delegation of BJP MPs from Odisha met Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Thursday and urged him to carry out necessary airport infrastructure developments across the state under the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme to enhance regional connectivity and meet public aspirations.

The team led by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also submitted a memorandum advocating for a new terminal building at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar to address rising air traffic and passenger demand. 

The delegation also proposed the second-phase expansion of Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda, the construction of a new airport in Puri, and the upgradation of Charbatia airstrip in Cuttack into a full-fledged airport.

The memorandum highlighted that these projects would not only bolster Odisha's connectivity but also accelerate industrial growth in eastern India. The delegation emphasised Paradip's strategic location near industrial hubs such as Angul, Talcher, and Kalinganagar.

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Additionally, the MPs also requested Naidu to include Birasal in Dhenkanal, Hirakud in Sambalpur, Rangailunda in Ganjam, Paradip in Jagatsinghpur, Utkela in Kalahandi, Kalinganagar in Jajpur, Raisuan in Keonjhar, Padampur in Bargarh, Rasgovindpur and Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj districts under the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme to enhance regional connectivity and meet public aspirations.