Union Minister Optimistic Of Central Nod For Converting Odisha’s Historical Airstrip Into Multipurpose Airport

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and Jal Shakti Bishweswar Tudu has expressed optimism on the Centre’s approval for making Amarda Road airstrip in Mayurbhaj district operational.

Considering its strategic location, Amarda airport can be developed to be used for both commercial and defence purposes like those in Pune and Guwahati, Tudu told a news agency. Since Amarda is located 225 km from Bhubaneswar and 90 km from the Kalaikunda air force station in West Bengal, it and can be useful for both purposes, he added.

Tudu had accompanied a team of experts from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) which visited visited the site last year to study the feasibility of starting the operation of an airport. He hoped that the AAI would issue a no-objection certificate soon.

“I had met the Union Civil Aviation Minister after the Centre included Amarda air strip in the Udaan scheme and took up the airport issue. He had assured me of sending a team from the ministry to prepare a feasibility report,” Tudu said.

Besides, the minister said he had taken up the matter with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who found the place suitable for a modern airport, Tudu added.

The airport will cater to the travel needs of air travellers from Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Keonjhar districts of Odisha, Bengal and Jharkhand. Moreover, it will be approachable to the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Balasore and IIT-Kharagpur in West Bengal.

Apart from its strategic location, the airstrip holds historical significance as it played a crucial role for the British rulers during World War II. It served as a forward airfield for use of fighter planes during the Japanese conquest of Burma.