Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the main opposition party in Odisha has condemned the Centre’s plan to privatise Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA).
“The step taken by the Central government to privatize Biju Patnaik International Airport is condemnable. If the Centre insists on its decision, it will surely face public wrath,” said former Minister and BJD MLA from Junagarh Dibya Shankar Mishra addressing a presser here on Monday.
Mishra said that if the Union government initiates the process for privatization of BPIA which has been named after legendary leader Biju Patnaik then it will certainly cause pain to every Odia.
He said that such a move is an affront to Odia asmita(pride).
The former Minister pointed out that the BPIA has handled about 5 million passengers.
“Several investors have come to the State through this airport. If it is privatized it will promote monopoly as a result of which the people of Odisha will face difficulties in air travel. In aviation there are two types of operation–one is scheduled operation and another is non-scheduled operation. In scheduled operation, if the private company does not provide incentives to low-cost airlines fliers from Odisha will face difficulties. In non-scheduled operations where private industrialists, etc who were directly landing on Odisha soil will also face difficulties,” he explained.
This is an assault on Odisha’s pride, he added.
