Bhubaneswar: Iconic Dakota DC-3 aircraft used by former Odisha Chief Minister and legendary freedom fighter Biju Patnaik will be brought to the State soon, said Transport Department Special Secretary Manoj Mishra here today.
A letter will be sent to the Union Civil Aviation Ministry in this regard and steps will be taken accordingly, the official said.
A decision in this regard was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy at the Lokseva Bhavan here, Mishra stated.
Biju Patnaik, the daredevil pilot of India, had used the iconic Dakota DC-3 aircraft to rescue Indonesia’s former vice president and prime minister in his famous heroic act in 1947.
The aircraft was a part of the fleet of 18 Dakota planes of Kalinga Airlines used in the Kashmir operation in 1947-48 ferrying troops to Srinagar and carrying medical assistance and other supplies.