Cuttack: The iconic Dakota aircraft flown by Biju Patnaik will soon become the cynosure of all eyes at the Anand Bhawan in the historic city Cuttack. The aircraft was used by Biju Babu to rescue Indonesia's former Vice President and Prime Minister in 1947.
The Dakota, one of the sturdiest aircrafts that is gathering dust at Kolkata airport, will soon be brought to Odisha and displayed at Anand Bhawan, which was the official residence of the former chief minister of Odisha.
Informing about the development, Cuttack Collector Sushant Mohapatra informed that the aircraft will be dismantled and brought to Odisha in three separate pieces and re-assembled in the city.
Also Read: Odisha Planning To Get Biju Babu’s Iconic Dakota Plane Back
"The aircraft will be remodelled and efforts will be taken to restore its antiquity while a special place has been identified for displaying it," said Mohapatra.
Cuttack-Barabati MLA Debasish Samantaray said, "a platform will be created and the historic aircraft will be dedicated to the people of Odisha."
Samantaray further informed that as Anand Bhawan, the ancestral home of late Biju Patnaik is being converted into a memorial museum, the aircraft will certainly add to its legacy and beauty.
"Visitors coming to Anand Bhawan can also enter the aircraft which will be restored with seats and other equipment," Samantaray added.