BJD Opposes Move To Privatise Bhubaneswar Airport

Bhubaneswar: With the Central government reportedly planning to privatise Bhubaneswar airport, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday vehemently opposed any such move saying it will be against the interest of the people of Odisha.

Voicing concern over the Centre’s reported move, senior BJD leader and former Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra told reporters that the Biju Patnaik International Airport BPIA), Bhubaneswar is a symbol of ‘Odia Asmita.’

Stating that the airport has been named after legendary leader Biju Patnaik, he said the move to privatise the airport is an affront to Odia Asmita especially when 50 lakh passengers, including many investors, have used air services from this airport.

Stating that privatisation of the airport will encourage monopoly, Mishra said if the company does not encourage low-cost airlines for scheduled flight operations, the people of Odisha will suffer.

Similarly, non-scheduled flight operations may also be affected, the BJD leader said, adding that the Centre should reconsider the proposal to privatise the BPIA airport in Bhubaneswar.

According to sources, the Centre plans to undertake the leasing of 13 airports, including BPIA in Bhubaneswar, operated by the Airports Authority of India to private players. The government has already leased out six airports in the first phase and planned to go for the rest in the next round. With the government already in place, the final decision on the bidding process will be taken by the Cabinet.