Bhubaneswar: The iconic Dakota DC-3 VT-AUI aircraft, which legendary Biju Patnaik once flew to rescue Indonesian leaders, entered the Odisha border on Wednesday.
According to sources, the aircraft has been dismantled into three parts in Kolkata and is on its way to Bhubaneswar in three containers via the National Highway. The three trawlers crossed the Laxmannath toll plaza in Jaleswar early this morning and are scheduled to reach the capital city by evening.
The Transport and Commerce department had roped in Odisha Police and asked them to coordinate with their West Bengal counterpart to ensure the safe passage of the parts of the aircraft weighing over 8 tonnes, and around 64 feet 8 inches long with wings that extend to 95 feet.
A special team of experts will inspect the aircraft after its arrival at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA). The process of assembling it by a team of engineers may take nearly a month, said sources.
Sources also added that the Dakota plane would be parked for public viewing after March 5. Notably, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has allotted 1.1 acres of land for this purpose.
As per historian Anil Dhir, the former chief minister used this aircraft to rescue the then Prime Minister of Indonesia Sutan Sjahrir and Vice President Sukarno in July 1947. Indonesia twice awarded Biju Patnaik with the highest civilian honour, “Bhumiputra.”
Biju Patnaik had founded Kalinga Airlines, which operated nearly a dozen Dakotas from its headquarters in Kolkata.
