Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Sunday unveiled the iconic Dakota aircraft of legendary Biju Patnaik for public viewing at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in the capital city here on the occasion of the late Chief Minister and legendary leader’s birth anniversary.
“It is a matter of pride for the Odisha government to unveil the Dakota DC-3 aircraft which was relocated from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata to the BPIA. Public display of the aircraft will serve as an embodiment of the former Chief Minister’s courage and adventurism, and inspire people of Odisha to dream big,” read a release by the Odisha Commerce and Transport department.
It is worth mentioning here that the aircraft reached the state from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on January 18. A 10-member team from the Aerospace Research Development took 12 days to dismantle the aircraft and pack its equipment.
The Dakota that was lying decrepit at the Kolkata Airport was reassembled and renovated after reaching the BPIA. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) allotted 1.1 acres for the DC-3 aircraft to be placed in front of the airport and named after the legendary leader for display.
Biju Patnaik, a skilled pilot, had used a Dakota aircraft to rescue erstwhile Indonesian Vice President Muhammad Hatta and Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir in 1947 from their country. For his daredevilry, the Indonesian government decorated Biju Patnaik with Bhumiputra – the highest civilian award of the country, twice.
Before joining politics, Biju Patnaik had floated Kalinga Airlines with headquarters in Kolkata and a fleet of 15 Dakota aircraft. The airlines offered services to the Army for transporting jawans and airdropping supplies.
