Bhubaneswar: Several citizens’ forums have demanded inclusion of five more airports in the State under the UDAN-4.0 (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) scheme.
A joint forum of Odisha Nagarik Manch, Aama Janata Adhikar and Mumbai Odisha Yuva Manch demanded Rangeilunda airstrip in Ganjam, Paradip, Jajpur, Baripada and Konark be included under the fourth phase of the regional air connectivity scheme.
The members of the forums expressed their displeasure over inclusion of only three airports in the central scheme while the Central government has approved 100 routes across the country.
"The Government of India is setting up 100 airports under UDAN-4.0. We demand these five airports of Odisha be included under the scheme. Durgapur in West Bengal, being adjacent to Kolkata, has been developed as a new airport. But, nothing has been done for Odisha. The Odisha government should put-forth our demand to the Ministry of Civil Aviation" said Lalit Mohan Patnaik, convenor of Odisha Nagarika Manch.
The forums submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Odisha which has been addressed to the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri. It urged the Odisha chief Minister to take the matter to the Centre.
Last year, the Union Government had launched the fourth phase of the regional connectivity scheme, UDAN to boost air connectivity to more remote and small towns in the country.