Bhubaneswar: Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary Commerce & Transport has said that the State Government has put construction of Malkangiri Airport on Fast Track and Rs.29 Crore has been sanctioned for Malkangiri Airport, which can be can be developed as a 2B category airport.
Mr.Sethi was presenting details about construction of new Airport at Malkangiri in the progress review meeting held on 8 March.
Mr.Sethi said as of now, land acquisition is over, and raising of concrete posts with barbed wire fencing along with the gate has been completed.
Administrative approval has also been accorded for the project estimated around Rs 29 Crore.
He added that the project would involve the Government land of around 74 acres, private land of around 126 acres, and forest land of around 33 acres.
Further, Mr.Sethi said that alienation of Government land of around 74 acres was done, Stage-1 forest clearance obtained, and the Stage-11 forest clearance was in the process.
In the meanwhile, Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) survey was completed by Airport Authority of India (AAI).
Around 54 families who needed to be shifted were included under rural housing schemes, and construction of their houses was also completed.
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra chaired the review meeting.
Reviewing the progress made so far, Mr.Mahapatra directed Department of Works to operationalize the airport for State planes by January, 2024.
Mr.Mohapatra said, “As Malkangiri is the farthest district from State head quarter, the airport will add to boosting the quality health and education services in the area”. Besides, he added, the airport would also enhance the economic and commercial activities in the district. He directed to construct the airport for State planes in the first phase which would be extended further with the growth of demand for bigger flights.
Chief Secretary directed the departments of Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water to handover the existing two roads to the Works department. Works department would strengthen those roads as per the required specifications.
Mr.Mahapatra also directed Tata power southern Odisha distribution Ltd ( TPSODL) to shift the existing electric line within June, 2022. Chief Secretary asked to clear the obstacles that were necessary for laying of the airstrip of 800 to 1000 mt for operation of state flights. He directed the works department to finish preparation of DPR quickly and go ahead for tendering.
Additional Chief Secretary Forest and Environment Mona Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance, Vishal Kumar Dev, Special Secretary Commerce & Transport Manoj Kumar Mishra along with senior officers of AAI and concerned departments participated in the discussions.