Bhubaneswar: Air travellers passing through the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) can now enjoy food and beverages at pocket-friendly rates with the launch of the Udan Yatri Café on Monday.
The facility was inaugurated by Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, who described it as part of the Centre’s efforts to make air travel more accessible and passenger-friendly.
The café will serve tea, coffee, and snacks at subsidised prices. The concept, first introduced in Kolkata last year, has since been rolled out at airports in Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Pune. Bhubaneswar is the latest to join the list, with plans to expand the initiative to 10–15 major airports across India within the next year.
Highlighting Odisha’s growing aviation prospects, the minister said that the proposed Terminal-3 at Bhubaneswar Airport is currently in the planning stage and will be fast-tracked to cater to the rising passenger load.
Naidu further noted that Odisha has nearly 20 airstrips, many of which could be developed into airports with the availability of land and cooperation from the state government.
On the long-awaited Puri airport project, he confirmed that site clearance has already been granted. “With Lord Jagannath’s blessings, we hope the Puri airport will become a reality soon,” the minister said, adding that construction work will be undertaken by the state government.
