Bhubaneswar: The unscheduled nine-seater aircraft was welcomed with customary water cannon salute as it landed at Rangeilunda airstrip, on the outskirts of Odisha’s Berhampur city, at 10.40 am on Sunday, coinciding with the 107th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik.
The flight being operated by One Air was flagged off from Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at 9.33 am. “We have got the schedule for March 5 and March 6. The basic minimum facilities like security and cabin have been arranged. The process for expansion of the airstrip is also on,” said Ganjam Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida.
The Odisha government has started the state-sponsored flight operation on Bhubaneswar-Rangeilunda (Berhampur) route to increase air connectivity from state capital to other cities and large areas. The air connectivity, which has been a long-stand demand of the people of the state, will reduce the travel time to one hour.
According to an official releases, the air connectivity at Rangeilunda will help attract tourists to the district with some attractive places like Chilika lake, Tampara lake, Gopalpur beach, the Rushikulya and Tara Tarini Temple. Senior doctors, Professors of MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur University, IREL, IISER and businessmen from the city will fly out and in frequently.
Earlier, Rangeilunda airstrip was used only on handful occasions for flight operations during the arrival of dignitaries.
The release further said that the CM has has always stressed on transforming and developing each corner of Odisha. “An airport at Rangeilunda to connect the capital city was a much-needed aspiration of local community to accelerate economic activity in the region. Berhampur is considered as a commercial hub of southern Odisha which has seen a rapid growth in its population and industry. The flight operation in this route will boost the industry and tourism sector,” it added.
The services are likely to be available twice a twice. The aircraft is likely to take off from Bhubaneswar at 9 am and land at Rangeilunda at 10 am. It will begin the return journey at 10.20 am and arrive in the state capital at 11.20 am, sources said.
