Jharsuguda airport to be ready in 2 years

Bhubaneswar: Jharsuguda airport will be operational within two years, informed Airport Authority of India (AAI) chairman R.K. Srivastava after visiting the airport for the first time today.

After the ‘bhumi puja’ at the proposed airport site in Jharsuguda, Srivastava discussed with contractors and other officials about the progress of work.

The State government has already handed over 119 acres of land to AAI in the first phase for the proposed airport. Another 163 acres of land will be given to AAI in the second phase. Source said an estimate of Rs 185 crore has been planned for the development of the airport.

Construction of the boundary wall is going on, sources added.

Earlier in the day, Srivastava met the State’s chief secretary G.C. Pati at the Biju Patnaik International airport here and held discussions on land acquisition related matters for the Jharsuguda airport.

Among others, AAI member of Operations G.K.Choukia and its Kolkata-based regional executive director were also present during the discussion.