Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today reiterated the demands for the introduction of a direct flight service and two new daily trains between Odisha and Surat for the welfare of a sizeable population of non-resident Odias who reside in Surat.
In a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu, Patnaik pointed out that a large number of Odias who have settled and are engaged in various spheres of trade and commerce and industry in Surat face a lot of difficulties while travelling to Odisha. So, air connectivity between Bhubaneswar and Surat will not only cater to the requirement of the people from Odisha residing in Surat but also increase the tourist inflow to both the places, Naveen wrote.
The chief minister also urged Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal to introduce two new daily trains between Berhampur city and Surat.
Pointing out that more than seven lakh people from South Odisha, especially from Ganjam district, are residing in Surat and have various travelling needs, Patnaik in a letter to Goyal stated that there is no direct train service connecting Berhampur and Surat.
"There are some trains originating and terminating at other destinations of Odisha and Gujarat, however, these train services are not only inconvenient but also inadequate to cater to the requirement of people from Odisha residing in Surat," he added.
Patnaik has also requested Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani to provide one acre of land in Surat for the establishment of a community centre to meet the requirements of Odia people living in the city for their social celebrations.
"Government of Odisha is planning to establish a Community Centre in the city of Surat to meet the requirements of Odia community for their social celebrations. The proposed complex shall also serve as a nerve centre of cultural exchange between Odisha and Gujarat," the CM wrote.