Union Minister Bishweswar Tudu lambasts Odisha govt again over Amarda Airstrip

Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu on Monday launched a fresh attack on the BJD-led Odisha government for allegedly neglecting the revival of Amarda Airstrip in Mayurbhanj district. 

Spread across an area of nearly 800 acres, the airstrip was operational during World War II. The airstrip in Rasgovindpur will be the sixth airport in the state after BPIA, Jharsuguda, Jeypore, Rourkela and Utkela. However, the alleged negligence of Odisha government has left it abandoned even as crores of rupees are being spent on its renovation.

“The state government has been neglecting Mayurbhanj and hoodwinking its people for the last 23 years. There are many tourist spots, but no development is taking place. The DRDO Chandipur and Bhubaneswar were supposed to hand over the NOC for Amarda Airstrip to the state government on October 10. However, the district collector who was supposed to accept the documents of the Airstrip on behalf of the government did not show up,” Tudu revealed.

He further added, “When I asked the Collector why did he not show up, he revealed that the state government has asked him not to go to the Airstrip. My question is why is the government keen on neglecting Mayurbhanj? Is it not a part of Odisha?”

Minister Tudu has been repeatedly pitching for the revival of the Armada Airstrip which will cater to the travel needs of the people from the Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Keonjhar districts of Odisha.