Cuttack: When the State Government has been pushing the Central Government for improvement of airline infrastructure in the State, senior BJP leader and Cuttack BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahatab has demanded for operationalisation of the Charbatia airport in Choudwar.
Shri Mahtab has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi marking a copy to the Union Civil Aviation Ministry in this regard recently.
The MP has demanded to convert the abandoned Charbatia airport in Choudwar into a civilian airport, primarily dedicated to cargo handling alongside normal operations.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Shri Mahatab highlighted the strategic potential of the World War II-era facility, which boasts of a runway larger than Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar.
He said Charbatia airport’s runway is almost double that of BPIA, with it being 4.9 km long, where large-bodied and large-wing aircraft can land.
“Charbatia airport was originally constructed by American forces during World War II and was later used by Indian air defence. It has remained unused since most defence traffic shifted to Midnapore, West Bengal. Given this and the tremendous industrial growth in and around Cuttack, there is immense potential for a civil aviation hub,” Dr.Mahatab wrote in his letter to PM Shri Modi.
BJP MP Shri Mahatab further said that there is Nalco township within 50 km, Paradip Port within 60 km, Kalinganagar steel hub, and four more steel plants within a 50-km radius of Charbatia. Additionally, the upcoming New Capital Ring Road will enhance the airport’s connectivity, he noted.
As Bhubaneswar airport approaches its saturation point, Charbatia airport can serve as a vital alternative to cater to the growing demand for air services in Odisha, he suggested.
Ace Financial Consultant Rajib Sekhar Sahoo has also echoed views of BJP MP Shri Mahatab over expansion of Charbatia airfield into an International airport.
Shri Sahoo said the State’s progress will be evaluated with infrastructure development and Shri Mahatab’s idea is sync with such approach.
Shri Mahatab, a veteran Lawmaker understands the economic growth of Odisha, which is connected with infrastructure development, said ace Financial Think Tank, Shri Sahoo.
Earlier, Barabati-Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous had pushed for an international aviation hub on the site’s 260-acre government land, arguing it could boost regional connectivity, tourism, and trade, along with infrastructure upgrades like a new Cuttack-Choudwar bridge.
Charbatia Airport presents an incredible opportunity for Odisha to emerge as a leading aviation hub in eastern India. With ample land, excellent connectivity, and top-notch facilities, it has the potential to become the region’s largest international aviation hub, she said in a social media post.
This project will enhance global connectivity and create numerous job opportunities, fostering a brighter future for the region, the Congress MLA said.
Sources said the Union Government will examine the feasibility of development of the Charbatia airport as there is an airport at Bhubaneswar, 33 km from Charbatia, and a proposed Greenfield airport at Puri.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had granted Site Clearance approval to the State government of Odisha for development of Greenfield Airport at Puri, in September, 2023.
As per Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, there is two stage approval process for development of Greenfield Airports, i.e. Site Clearance followed by ‘In-Principle’ approval.
In October, 2024, State Government of Odisha submitted the duly filled application relating to ‘In-Principle’ approval.
MoCA has forwarded the application along with DPR to concerned stakeholders including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.