Immediate Upgradation of Airports of Odisha

To: The Prime Minister, Republic of India

Sub: Upgradation of Airports and Air connectivity in Odisha.

Dear Sir:

While each of India’s parts should progress for India to go ahead, some are really falling behind, increasing the GAP in development. Such is the case with Odisha. In recent past various central projects have not been located in the other areas of Odisha, in a distributed manner, under the plea that areas are not Air connected. We have seen this argument again and again and again.

The recent Central University of Orissa (CUO), of Koraput, is a case in point. It’s VC, under the deceptive cover of poor connectivity of Koraput, has started a parallel campus in BBSR, while operating from Kolkata. This must be stopped and will be stopped.

But what stands out is lack of Regional Airports in Odisha and it’s lack of overall Air connectivity. We are thus presenting an overall proposal of Air connectivity in Odisha, with a request you thus Sir, to kindly consider & implement the following at the minimum:

• Upgrade the 60 years old regional Airport at BBSR to an International Airport.
• Expedite and complete the construction of ongoing Domestic Airport in Jharsugda district, in western Odisha, within next two years.
• Reinvigorate and evaluate for a possible domestic airport for the unused South regional Jeypore Airport, Koraput in to action in next 2 years.

This will enable the remote areas of Odisha to be connected to the places of national importance and will prevent lack of air connectivity as a alibi, for not locating Institutes of National importance in the backward areas.

In addition to the above , Airports at Rourkela , Berhampur and Rayagada can be developed further in future which were once upon a time used for emergency landing. These airports can serve as feeder to the above full fledged Airports.

Justification & rationale for all of them are attached here.

Yours truly,
Citizens & Well wishers of Odisha

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