Odisha Government to establish four new airstrips in western region

Bhubaneswar, Feb 24: The Odisha government has unveiled plans to expand aviation infrastructure in western Odisha with the establishment of four new airstrips. These airstrips will be developed at Jamadarpali (Sambalpur), Satibhata (Bargarh), Gotma (Nuapada), and Tusura (Balangir), increasing the total number of operational airports in the region to eight.

Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena recently shared this information in the Odisha Assembly while responding to a query. Currently, four airports serve the western region, including Jeypore (Koraput), Veer Surendra Sai (Jharsuguda), Rourkela (Sundargarh), and Utkela (Kalahandi), all of which are connected to Bhubaneswar.

The state government is also focusing on upgrading existing facilities. The Jeypore airport will be upgraded from Category 2B to 3C, with 229.4 acres of land acquisition planned and a budget allocation of ₹64.4 crore. Similarly, Tusura airport in Balangir will be upgraded to Category 2B, with ₹65 crore sanctioned for its development. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi laid the foundation for its upgradation in November 2023, and an obstacle limitation survey has been completed.

The delay in executing these projects is attributed to land acquisition, procedural approvals, and aerodrome licensing issues, the Minister explained.

Additionally, the government has proposed four more airports at Raisua and Barbil (Keonjhar), Gudari (Kandhamal), and Amarda (Mayurbhanj) to enhance air connectivity in central, northern, and west-central Odisha.

In September 2023, former Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had confirmed a ₹45 crore allocation for the revival of the World War II-era Amarda Road airstrip in Mayurbhanj, which is under DRDO control but remains unused. Local residents have long demanded its revival to improve connectivity in north Odisha.