Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has sent a proposal to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to initiate steps for upgrading Rourkela airport for 4C 1 CAT IFR operation considering the growth potential of the city.
In a letter to AAI Chairman Vipin Kumar, Principal Secretary to Commerce and Transport department Usha Padhee said the government of Odisha has proposed to upgrade the Rourkela airport of SAIL suitable for 4C CAT 1 IFR operation considering the growth of the city. In this regard, basic details were worked out by the Directorate of Aviation.
Sources said the development comes in wake of the recent meeting between Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
In her letter dated February 15, Padhee urged the AAI to design a master plan and conduct an OLS survey based on the proposed master plan. The cost involved in preparation of master plan and OLS survey would be borne by the state government.
The proposed master plan envisages expansion of the runway to 2,700 metre in length and 45 metre in width with doppler very high frequency omni range (DVOR) and CAT 1 ILS for operation of big body aircraft like Airbus 320/B737 during day and night.
AAI defines CAT 1 operation as a precision instrument approach and landing with a decision height not lower than 60 m (200 ft) and with either a visibility not less than 800 m or a runway visual range not less than 550 m. The expansion of the airport requires 278 acre of land of SAIL and 44 acre of private land.
It may be noted that Jual Oram had a meeting recently with the Chief Minister in presence of additional chief secretary N B Dhal and principal secretaries of five departments including Revenue and Disaster Management, Industries and Transport.
The Union Minister in a post on X stated that he had a productive meeting with the CM and senior officials, focusing on development of Rourkela airport and expansion of RSP. The discussion centered on strengthening infrastructure, enhancing connectivity and accelerating regional growth.
During the meeting, Oram reportedly apprised the Chief Minister about the urgent need for removing land hurdles for expeditious implementation of both the key expansion plans.
For expansion of Rourkela airport, SAIL has to surrender its land to the state government. The expansion of RSP from the present 4.5 MTPA to 9.30 MTPA has been facing hurdles as the earmarked 1,200 acre of SAIL land is under encroachment, sources said.
