Odisha CM requests Modi for AI flights between Jharsuguda-Delhi

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to instruct Air India (AI) authorities to begin flight operations between Jharsuguda and New Delhi.

 “One of the existing flights from Bhubaneswar to Delhi could have a stopover at Jharsuguda, connecting it immediately with New Delhi and Bhubaneswar,” said the Chief Minister in a letter to the Prime Minister.

Patnaik requested the Prime Minister to instruct Air India authorities to take immediate steps for fulfilling the aspirations of the people of western Odisha to have air connectivity.

 “Jharsuguda is located strategically in the industrial and mining belt of Odisha, and is a critical point of connectivity to western Odisha. During inauguration of Jharsuguda Airport on 22.09.2018, I had offered full support of state government for running of commercial flights and had requested for commencing Air India flight operations from Jharsuguda to Delhi,” informed the Chief Minister.

Air Odisha had started flying operations under RCS-UDAN from the Veer Surendra Sai Airport at Jharsuguda after Modi inaugurated the airport on September 22 last year.

However, Air Odisha suspended operations since November 6, 2018, without any valid reason.