Airport to be upgraded soon
By Express News Service - BHUBANESWAR
21st September 2012 11:33 AM
The Civil Aviation Ministry on Thursday assured the State Government to upgrade the Biju Patnaik Airport here to international standard soon.
All necessary steps are being taken to upgrade the domestic airport at the earliest, a release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office here said. The ministry will advise Air India and other domestic airlines to start international operations from Bhubaneswar, the release said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in Delhi on a five-day visit, on Thursday met Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh and discussed the infrastructure inadequacy in the aviation sector for air connectivity within the state.
Naveen told Singh that the State does not have adequate air connectivity. There is only one operational domestic airport in Bhubaneswar and even that is deprived of international operations.
He also urged the Union Minister to take steps for developing Jharsuguda airport and expanding the airstrip and other infrastructure for which 191 acre was approved. Jharsuguda has emerged as a major industrial hub in the western part of the State and requires adequate air connectivity.
Singh suggested that Odisha should explore the possibility of developing Jharsuguda airport in public-private partnership (PPP) mode. On development of Gopalpur and Jeypore airstrips, the Airports Authority of India is expected to take up feasibility studies.
The State Government also requested for starting international operations from Bhubaneswar to Middle East and South-East Asian countries by Air India and domestic airlines. Naveen suggested that the Civil Aviation Ministry should promote Odisha as a world- class tourist destination and provide support for holding a major conference in Bhubaneswar in early 2013.
The Chief Minister said there is an urgent need to provide infrastructure support to the aviation sector in the State for ensuring unhindered industrialisation and flow of tourist traffic to Odisha. To increase inflow of domestic and international tourists to Odisha, adequate infrastructure support to the aviation sector is needed on a priority basis,he added.
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Comments(1)
Inspite of the tremendous tourism potential State Govt is yet to come with a proactive tourism policy and a road map on increase inflow of domestic and international tourists.The Varanasi air connectivity must be restored. The golden triangle Bhubaneswar Konarak Puri and Chilka -Satpada circuit do not have the basic need of way side amenities etc.The Government need to sensitize the local community on the benefit of tourism so that the sites are maintained,instill safety and security.The Golden triangle,Buddhist circuit coupled with the famous ethnic and rural sectors of Koraput Khandamal Rayagada districts must be identified as the key driver of Destination Odisha.Infrastructure must be enhanced to have authenticity and seamless travel experience. To have international conference business we must have a world class convention center promoted simultaneously with the completion of the international airport.We need to aggresively market and encourage hotel chains to come forward support
Posted by BENJAMINE SIMON at 09/23/2012 10:37 Reply to this Report abuse