Bhubaneswar: Construction of new airport at Malkangiri was put on the fast track with Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra reviewing its progress in a high-level meeting on Tuesday. Principal Secretary Commerce and Transport Bishnupada Sethi outlined the issues for discussion at the meeting which was held on virtual mode.
Mahapatra directed the Works department to operationalise the airport for State planes by January 2024. “As Malkangiri is the farthest district from State headquarter, the airport will add to boosting the quality health and education services in the area.”
The airport would also enhance the economic and commercial activities in the district. He directed to construct the airport for State planes in the first phase which would be extended further with the growth of demand for bigger flights.
Sethi said, “Presently Malkangiri airfield can be developed as a 2B category airport. As of now, land acquisition is over, and raising of concrete posts with barbed wire fencing along with the gate has been completed.”
Administrative approval has also been accorded for the project estimated around Rs 29 crore. He added that the project would involve Government land of around 74 acres, private land of around 126 acres, and forest land of around 33 acres.
Sethi said that alienation of Government land of around 74 acres was done, Stage-1 forest clearance was obtained, and Stage-11 forest clearance was in the process. In the meanwhile Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) survey was completed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI). Around 54 families who needed to be shifted were included under rural housing schemes, and construction of their houses was also completed.
Mahapatra directed the departments of Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water to hand over the existing two roads to the Works department. Works department would strengthen those roads as per the required specifications. He directed Tata power southern Odisha Distribution Ltd ( TPSODL) to shift the existing electric line within June 2022.
Chief Secretary asked to clear the obstacles that were necessary for laying of the airstrip of 800 to 1000 mt for operation of state flights. He directed the works department to finish the preparation of DPR quickly and go ahead with tendering.
Additional Chief Secretary Forest and Environment Dr Mona Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance Vishal Kumar Dev, Secretary IT Manoj Kumar Mishra along with senior officers of AAI and other departments participated in the discussion.
