Berhampur: The Odisha Government is going to fulfill the long-standing demand of the people of Ganjam district as the expansion work of Rangeilunda airstrip near Berhampur University will start soon. Once the expansion work is complete, a decision will be taken about flight services from here to Bhubaneswar and other important places of the state. The tender process for the expansion works 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. Ganjam District Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida gave this information while monitoring the progress of the work.
Rangeilunda 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 such as the President or the Chief Minister. The Rangeilunda Airstrip is also being operationalised by the Army Air Defence College for arrival and departure of senior officials. 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.
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. Ganjam District Collector visited the place and the airstrip and reviewed the situation.
It is worth noting that there has been a long-standing demand for the expansion of Rangeilunda airstrip and an airport near Berhampur. Now the state government is going to make the long-standing demand a reality by taking strong steps in this direction.