Bhubaneswar: Announcing plans to set up a world-class aviation training centre at Birashal in Dhenkanal District, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday said tribal girls will be encouraged and trained to become pilots.
Speaking at the Eastern Region Civil Aviation Ministers’ Conference in Bhubaneswar, the CM said the state government is set to launch a cadet pilot programme under the flagship initiative B-MAAN (Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network). Under this initiative, tribal girls will be trained to become pilots.
On this occasion, the state government signed an agreement with Air Works, the country’s leading aircraft MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) service provider. As per the pact, a modern MRO facility will be set up at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar. Along with this, the state government has signed an agreement with Air Works to create skill development, training and job opportunities for the youth of the state.
The Chief Minister further said that a world-class international airport is set to be built in Puri. This airport will be a spiritual and cultural gateway for crores of Jagannath devotees from all over the world. Along with this, land has been made available for the expansion of Jharsuguda airport.
In the last 14 months of the formation of the new government, airports in Odisha have been connected to 15 new destinations. This policy has been successful in connecting Odisha with the national and international air transport network.
The state government is also emphasising on role creation and skill development to take Odisha forward in this field and a world-class aviation training centre is going to be set up at Birashal in Dhenkanal district, he said.
The government is going to bring a progressive land allotment policy for the airports. With this, flying training, UAV training, and aviation sports activities will be possible in airports. A large number of flying training institutes will do this work at our airports.
All the unused airstrips in the state are being developed as airports by the government. There will be 14 such airports and the government is working to set up a total of 15 heliports in the districts where there are no airports, the Chief Minister said.
Majhi further said that transformative initiatives like the UDAN scheme truly democratised aviation and opened new horizons for Eastern India. Aviation is not just about airports and air services, it is a unique effort to connect the dreams of our people with opportunities, strengthen our economy and realise the dream of a developed India – 2047. The continuous efforts of our Prime Minister, to build a developed India by 2047, always motivates people.
“Together, we are working tirelessly to strengthen the connectivity of Odisha, and to fulfill the aspirations of our people,” he said.
