Dharmendra seeks direct flight between Bhubaneswar-Dubai

Bhubaneswar: Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has requested the Civil Aviation Ministry for a direct flight between Bhubaneswar-Dubai.

In a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Pradhan informed that more than 15,000 Odia people residing in different parts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who are forced to undertake an indirect route for travelling to Odisha.

At present, Bhubaneswar is connected internationally via direct flight to only one destination Bangkok, Thailand since it was granted International Airport status.

“There has been a long-pending request from various quarters for introducing a direct flight from Bhubaneswar to Dubai,” said Pradhan.

Recently, Odia Society of UAE had a meeting with GM Air India Middle-east and Africa regarding viability of a direct Air India flight between Bhubaneswar and Dubai, he mentioned in the letter.

As Odisha capital is the educational, healthcare and tourist hub and for welfare of the commuters, he appealed to the Centre to introduce a direct flight connecting these two destinations.

“Keeping mind the welfare of commuters to and from Bhubaneswar-Dubai and larger potential for development of Odisha, I request your personal intervention in launching a direct flight between Bhubaneswar-Dubai at the earliest,” the Minister said.