Odisha pushes for Greenfield Airport to boost regional connectivity

The long-pending demand for a Greenfield Airport in Ganjam district has once again gained momentum, with local residents and leaders urging both the state and central governments to speed up the process. Despite years of discussions and proposals, no suitable location has been finalised for the project so far.

Meanwhile, just 30km away from the Odisha-Andhra border, the central government has identified land for a greenfield airport at Baruva in Andhra Pradesh. Reacting to this development, Odisha’s Transport Minister has urged the government to consider establishing a similar facility at Subani village, which lies close to the state border.

According to the minister, an airport at Subani would benefit people from both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, ensuring better connectivity and economic growth for the region.

However, opinions among locals remain divided. While some advocate for setting up the airport in the central part of the district to make it accessible to more areas, others believe Subani’s strategic location near the state border would offer wider regional benefits.

“A Greenfield Airport is a necessity for the Ganjam district because there is no development without an airport. As the government is proposing an airport at Subani, it can also consider a 500-acre land near Laxmipur mouza, and another 500-600-acre land near Regdi junction. Both places are suitable for a Greenfield airport. This apart, I request the government to start the Greenfield Airport work and ensure us all Ganjam residents that the airport will be constructed at any cost,” demanded PK Pattnaik, a local. 

On the other hand, the Rengeilunda airstrip, which was partially operational under the UDAN scheme in 2024 with a 17-seater aircraft, still remains underdeveloped. Operations had to be halted due to runway-related issues. Currently, the airstrip occupies 27 acres, but an additional 56 acres are required, including 40 acres of government land and the remainder from private owners, to make it fully functional.

Authorities are now working on runway extension, underground cabling, and passenger facilities to ensure the airstrip can be operational by January, according to the Southern Revenue Commissioner.