Union Minister Further Sharpens Attack On Odisha Govt Over Amarda Airstrip

Bhubaneswar: Stepping up his attack on the Odisha government over Amarda airstrip issue, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Bishweswar Tudu on Monday accused it of obstructing transfer of land for the project in Mayurbhanj district.

Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, Tudu said that all the steps required for transfer of defence land for the development of Amarda airstrip had been completed. However, the district collector of Mayurbhanj skipped the meeting held recently for transfer of land at the instruction of the state government, he alleged.

Coming down heavily on the Naveen Patnaik government, the Union Minister claimed that it is encouraging corruption by providing Rs 50 lakh to every panchayat. However, the state government was reluctant to pay Rs 26 crore for handover of defence land for the revival of Amarda airstrip, he claimed, adding that the state finally succumbed to pressure from Defence Ministry.

Accusing the BJD government of neglecting Mayurbhanj district for the last 23 years, Tudu claimed that the entire north Odisha remains backward because of lack of initiatives to develop communication, road networks and flight services.

“The BJD government has been betraying Mayurbhanj district and its people during its 23 years of rule,” he alleged.

Noting that Amarda airstrip built at Rasagobindapur in Mayurbhanj district during the second world war happens to be Asia’s longest runway, the BJP leader said after repeated requests the Centre took initiatives for its revival and development.

After completion of all the required processes, land was to be handed over for development of the airport to facilitate flight services from Amarda at a meeting on October 10, he said, adding that defence officials and others were present at the programme., However, land could not be handed over as the district collector failed to turn up, Tudu claimed.

Stating that the Centre has provided Rs 45 crore for the development of Amarda airstrip, the BJP leader claimed that the state government is trying to create obstacles thinking that the credit will go to the Centre.

The Union Minister said that the development of Armada airstrip and commencement of flight services from there will cater to the travel needs of the people from the Mayurbhanj, Balasore, and Keonjhar districts of the state.