**Bhubaneswar:** Highlighting the congestion and runway issues at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu expedite the proposed new airport on outskirts of the Temple City.
BPIA registered the fastest growth of passenger traffic 2017-18 in India. 3.25 million Passengers both domestic and international, flew the airport in 2017-18 which marks a record Y-o-Y growth of 39.4%, said Pradhan in his letter.
India is in the process of procuring 800 to 900 new aircrafts and Bhubaneswar shall be a hub for flights connecting South East the Indian sub-continent. “This presents a pertinent opportunity for setting up ancillary industries like Maintenance and Repair units, Airline Skilling Institutes, Flight Kitchens and Parking Bays. In the the proposed new airport in Bhubaneswar which will boost employment and development of the region,” Pradhan mentioned in the letter.
Since the construction of development of the airport takes considerable time, the formalities need to be expedited to avoid severe air traffic congestions and needless public inconvenience. “The airport, which was started in 1962, is near saturation and faces severe space and runway related constraints. There is, thus, an urgent need to set up a new airport at Bhubaneswar given the tremendous growth potential of this Smart City,” Pradhan wrote to Prabhu.
Pradhan also requested Prabhu for commissioning of a new terminal (terminal number 3) and revamping of facilities at existing two terminals with international standards. He requested Prabhu for early operationalisation of the UDAN scheme at remaining airports in Jeypore, Rourkela and Utkela. The union minister also proposed operationalisation of ATR-type flights connecting Bhubaneswar, Jharsuguda, Ranchi, Raipur, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam to boost regional air connectivity.
He also proposed the Union Minister of Civil Aviation for longer runway at Jharsuguda airport to handle bigger aircrafts. He sought Prabhu’s intervention for early completion of longer airstrip project and to pass necessary directions to the concerned officials to initiate the process.
Pradhan also wrote about existing private airstrip at Angul, measuring 5,840 ft that can be readily considered for limited passenger flight operations under UDAN 2. Drawing attention of the union minister about World War II era 11,000 ft airstrip at RAF Amarda Road in Rasagobindapur in Mayurbhanj district, Pradhan proposed him for revamping of the airstrip and its use for UDAN 2 flights.
