Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has allocated funds for the expansion of Rangeilunda airstrip near Berhampur University in the district.
The State Budget 2023-24, presented by Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari in the Legislative Assembly Friday, has emphasized on strengthening the civil aviation sector in the State.
The State Government has allotted Rs 275 core for the current financial year for the construction of a Green Field Shri Jagannath International Airport at Puri ; renovation and expansion of Jeypore Airport, Utkela Airstrip, Rangeilunda Airstrip and Malkangiri Airstrip.
The tender process for the expansion works of Rangeilunda Airstrip has been completed and technical status survey has been discussed. Soon after the completion of the expansion work, the government will decide on flight services.
The airstrip is currently 975 meters long and 150 meters wide. However, its runway is 750 meters long. Currently, it is used only on handful occasions such as helicopter operations during the arrival of dignitaries.
If it is expanded, it will be possible for small and medium-sized aircraft to take off or land here. It can function as a regular and minor airport. Land acquisition process for the airstrip expansion has started. Required public and private land has been identified, as per official sources.
In the first phase, the process of handing over 15 acres of vacant land of Berhampur University under the Higher Education Department to the concerned department has been initiated. The university authorities have already submitted a report to the Higher Education Department regarding the status of the said land, sources added.
It is worth noting that there has been a long-standing demand for the expansion of Rangeilunda airstrip.
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