TV
Malkangiri Airport, which was inaugurated by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik some seven months back, has been languishing in a sorry state thanks to the sheer neglect by the administration.
While the wall of the airport has reportedly collapsed, the road connecting the airport and the runway has washed away. There has also been waterlogging in the area.
Moreover, to the utter dismay of people, cows and dogs have been frequently roaming in the main lobby and runway of the airport.
As per reports, the airport was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on January 5, 2024, in a hasty manner in view of the General Elections. Assurances were given at that time that people of the area could fly to different parts of the globe from the area following the inauguration. However, the sorry state of the airport after seven months of its inauguration has baffled people. Questions have been raised as to why the incomplete airport was inaugurated in a hasty manner?
An aircraft from Bhubaneswar had landed in Malkangiri Airport on the day of the inauguration. Since then, the airport has barely functioned and witnessed the landing of a maximum five aircrafts.
It has been alleged that the sorry state of the airport just seven months after its construction indicates the attitude of the previous government and the poor construction work undertaken.
In response, Malkangiri district administration officials said the drain work was incomplete and soon steps would be taken to review the situation.
“I have not visited the airport after the rainfall. The drain work was incomplete. I will soon visit the spot to take stock of the situation. Appropriate steps will be taken following discussions with the concerned department, said Bedabara Pradhan, Assistant Collector of Malkangiri.
However, no comments were received from the BJD.
