Modi inaugurates Jharsuguda airport

Jharsuguda: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Jharsuguda airport here.

The Prime Minister declared to rename the airport after noted freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai.

“Connectivity is at the core of all round development. Our Government has devoted significant efforts to enhance connectivity all over the nation,” said the Prime Minister.

“This airport in Jharsuguda is well located to serve the needs of the people of Odisha. This is going to be the second airport in the state. While being happy this airport is opening, we also need to wonder why it took so many years for a second airport in Odisha,” he added.

Jharsuguda became the second operational airport of Odisha to provide necessary connectivity to Bhubaneswar, Raipur and Ranchi under UDAN.

Jharsuguda Airport has been developed by the Airports Authority of India in collaboration with Odisha government at an estimated cost of Rs.210 crores with Rs. 75 crores contribution from the State Government.

Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik requested the Prime Minister to name the airport after freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai.

He also requested to make the airport a full-fledged airport and assured that the government will provide all support for the development of the Jharsuguda airport.

Spread across over 1027.5 acres of land, the area of terminal Building of the airport is 4000 sqm. The Airport has been developed for all weather operations including night operations for A-320 type of aircraft.

The Terminal Building, equipped with state-of-the-art passenger facilities is a RCC composite structure equipped with state-of-the-art passenger facilities. The interiors of the building depict local handicrafts, artwork and tourist destinations of the state highlighting the rich ethos and culture of the region.

The city side is being aesthetically landscaped with lush green areas connecting passengers to nature.

With a 2390 meter. long runway, the airport will be able to park AB-320 type aircraft.

The terminal building has many green features like the reuse of treated water for horticulture and air-conditioning purposes, rain-water harvesting system to recharge groundwater, sewage treatment plant, solar power system, energy-efficient chillers and a green belt along the periphery of the airport.

The new airport at Jharsuguda will play a pivotal role in the development of Jharsuguda District and will boost the growing tourism industry in the region.

In Odisha, other than Jharsuguda, 3 more airports, namely, Jeypore in Koraput District, Rourkela in Sundargarh District and Utkela in Kalahandi District are being developed to provide connectivity to remote and far-flung \areas of the State.

For revival and upgradation of these four airports within the State of Odisha, Rs. 370 Crores has been allocated under this Scheme. The airport will be of help for the faculty members of Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Sambalpur.

It will also benefit officials of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited and other industrial houses to reach their destination faster.