Odisha govt seeks direct flight between Bhubaneswar-Surat

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday urged the Centre to introduce a direct flight between Bhubaneswar and Surat in Gujarat for the benefit of lakhs of Odia families, who stay in the western state.

In a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu, the Chief Minister said lakhs of Odia families have settled in Surat and are engaged in the textile sector there.

“I would, therefore, like to request you to impress upon Air India and other private airlines to introduce direct flights between Bhubaneswar and Surat at the earliest,” said the Chief Minister.

Patnaik said presently there is no direct air connectivity between Bhubaneswar and Surat.

“During the hours of urgent necessity, Odia people living in Surat face untold difficulties in reaching Odisha in time. Besides, people from both the cities visit places of tourist interest in and around the cities every year. Air connectivity between Bhubaneswar and Surat can give rise to tourist inflow to both the places,” Patnaik said.