Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday inaugurated Malkangiri Airport. With this, a long cherished dream of the people of Malkangiri has been fulfilled. Malkangiri now features in the air route map.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that this will lead to massive growth in communication, tourism, and trade in Malkangiri district and surrounding areas.
It is worth noting that earlier airports have been established at Jeypore in Koraput, Utkela in Kalahandi, Rourkela, and Rangeilunda in Ganjam. After Malkangiri also got connected by air, the development process can be accelerated in the remote areas of the entire state. This is very important for the growth of industry in Odisha. Malkangiri Airport is spread over an area of 233 acres and has a runway with a length of 1620 meters and a width of 30 meters. A sum of Rs 70 crore has been spent for the purpose.
Along with the Chief Minister, 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman VK Pandian was also present during the inauguration.
During his visit to Malkangiri today, the Chief Minister during his visit to the district approved the proposed Govind Pali Integrated Irrigation Project. For this, an outlay of Rs 4000 crore has been made and a project report has been prepared.
It is worth noting that 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman VK Pandian visited Malkangiri district on March 28 and discussed with the local people about constructing an irrigation project in the Saptdhara river. Giving importance to the proposal given by the people the DPR of the Govinda Pali Integrated Irrigation Project at a cost of Rs 4000 crore was prepared and following approval of the Technical Advisory Committee and has been sent to the Central Water Commission. Under this project, two dams at Saptdhara and Garia, a connecting tunnel and irrigation system through underground pipelines.
The project will provide irrigation facilities to an additional 92,815 acres of farmland in four blocks of Malkangiri district namely – Malkangiri, Mathili, Khairiput and Korkunda and will provide drinking water to 1.50 lakh local people.
The construction of the project is targeted to start by next July.
