Bhubaneswar: In a bid to give a boost to the civil aviation sector in the state, the Odisha government has unveiled an ambitious Rs 3,651 crore infrastructure blueprint – ‘Building Management of Aviation Assets and Network’ (B-MAAN).
Announcing this, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena said the plan aims at achieving holistic development of the civil aviation sector while ensuring railway connectivity.
The plan was unveiled while presenting a Rs 3,651 crore demand expenditure for the department in the state Assembly on Monday.
Of the total allocation, Rs 328 crore is earmarked for the civil aviation and ₹320 Crore for the railways sector. Under B-MAAN, a new greenfield airport will be developed in Paradeep, alongside upgradation of airports in Jeypore, Dandabosh, Rangeilunda, Jamadarapali, and Tusara.
This apart, the state will proceed with the plans for a second international airport in Puri and further development of the Biju Patnaik Aviation Centre in Dhenkanal. As part of the initiative, pilot training will be provided to 10 tribal women under an the airlines cadet pilot program, with the Government covering the training expenses.
Besides aviation, the department’s demand expenditure includes Rs 466 crore for enhancing the road transport authority system and Rs 2,483 crore for expanding the mass transport network.
In order to strengthen inter-state connectivity, 12 new super-premium AC sleeper buses will be introduced.
These buses will operate on key routes, including:
1 Bhubaneswar to Tirupati
2 Bhubaneswar to Indore (via Ujjain)
3 Bhubaneswar to Shirdi (via Nagpur)
4 Bhubaneswar to Ayodhya (via Varanasi)
5 Bhubaneswar to Hyderabad (via Visakhapatnam)
6 Bhubaneswar to Bhilai (via Raipur)
The Minister further stated that Intelligence Enforcement Management System (IEMS) will be opertionalised on State Highways. Initially, Bhubaneswar-Puri, Rameswara-Panikoili and Puri-Konark stretch will be covered under IEMS.
