Bhubaneswar: In a bid to improve flight connectivity in Odisha, the central government has decided to include three more airports under the fourth phase of Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN. The airports to be included under UDAN-4 are Rourkela (Sundergarh), Utkela (Kalahandi) and Jeypore (Koraput).
A decision regarding the same was taken today during a high-level meeting between Union Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola and Odisha Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy.
Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, Kharola said, "We had a meeting today regarding steps to be taken for improvement of air connectivity in Odisha. We are in touch with the State government and whatever issues are there, will be resolved."
Earlier this year, commercial flight service was initiated from Veer Surendra Sai Airport at Jharsuguda to six cities of the country under the third phase of UDAN scheme.
Sources said, a total amount of over Rs 160 crore was sanctioned for development of airports at Jharsuguda, Jeypore, Utkela and Rourkela, taking the cumulative allocation to over Rs. 1,200 crore for development of airports and air connectivity in Odisha.