Bhubaneswar: Expecting the arrival of a good number of sports lovers from Indian and abroad to watch Hockey World Cup to be played in Odisha’s Rourkela and Bhubaneswar cities next year, the state government has written to the Centre to increase the number flights operating from Jharsuguda airport.
In a letter to Rajib Bansal, secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Odisha chief secretary SC Mahapatra has stated that the state government is all geared up to host the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2023. The matches of the prestigious tournament will be played at state’s two major cities – Bhubaneswar and Rourkela – from January 13, 2023.
Mahapatra further said the government was expecting that a large number of hockey lovers from the country as well as abroad would visit Odisha to watch the 15th edition of the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup.
Stating that Veer Surendra Sai Airport at Jharsuguda has been in operation for 4 years and handling domestic flights, he said it is well connected by train and bus to both Rourkela and Bhubaneswar. Hence the air passengers to Jharsuguda can conveniently move to both cities, he added.
In the light of this, the chief secretary expressed his concern over cancellation of flights from Jharsuguda airport and requested the Aviation secretary to take necessary steps in this regard.
It may be noted that Odisha Health Minister and Jharsuguda MLA Naba Kishore Das had held a meeting with CEO of Alliance Air Vineet Sood in New Delhi on September 19 and requested him for increasing the number of flights to VSS Airport.
Also Read: Odisha Minister Meets Alliance Air CEO, Seeks More Flights From Jharsuguda Airport – odishabytes
