Operationalise Malkangiri airport by January 2024: Odisha govt

Bhubaneswar: The construction of a new airport at Malkangiri in Odisha has been put on fast track after chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra directed works department to operationalise the airport by January 2024.

“As Malkangiri is the farthest district from state headquarters, the airport will add to boosting the quality health and education services in the area,” said Mohapatra.

“Presently Malkangiri airfield can be developed as a 2B category airport. As of now, land acquisition is over, and raising of concrete posts with barbed wire fencing along with the gate has been completed. Administrative approval has also been accorded for the project estimated around Rs 29 crore,” said principal secretary commerce and transport, Bishnupada Sethi.

Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) survey was completed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI).

Around 54 families who needed to be shifted were included under rural housing schemes, and construction of their houses was also completed, reported ANI.

Chief secretary asked to clear the obstacles that were necessary for laying of the airstrip of 800 to 1000 mt for the operation of state flights.