Odisha government plans first UDAN take off to Jharsuguda
BHUBANESWAR: As Air Odisha is all set to launch flight operation under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme from November, the State government on Tuesday asked the air operator to provide connectivity to Jharsuguda.
In the first phase, the State-based private air operator has planned to launch air service from Ahmedabad to Bhavanagar, Jamnagar, Diu and Mundra. However, it is yet to obtain the scheduled commuter operator (SCO) permit, which is still under process by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), official sources said.
The issue of providing air connectivity to unserved areas of the State under UDAN scheme was discussed at the State-level coordination and monitoring committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Padhi here. “We are yet to get confirmation from the private operator for launching the air service Bhubaneswar to Jharsuguda. As soon as they get ready, the services will be launched,” Padhi said. The Chief Secretary asked the operator to keep aircraft ready for flight services between Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda.
Air connectivity to other unserved destinations like Rourkela, Jeypore and Utkela (Kalahandi) will take more time as the airstrips in these locations are not ready. Five airstrips of Odisha, including Biju Patanaik International Airport, were selected for UDAN scheme in Phase-I. Bhubaneswar Airport will serve as mentor airport. While Jharsuguda airport is being developed under joint aegis of Airport Authority of India (AAI) and State government, other two airstrips at Jeypore and Utkela will be developed jointly by the State Government and AAI.
Issues relating to setting up of air fuelling station base were discussed and it was decided to set up such bases at Utkela and Jeypore. Central PSU BPCL would set up a fuelling station at Jeypore in Koraput district. Ministry of Civil Aviation would allocate Utkela to one of the oil companies.
The State government is providing both manpower and financial support to make the regional connectivity scheme viable during initial periods. It has been decided to reduce VAT from 5 per cent to 1 per cent and provide 20 per cent of the viable gap funding (VAG).The State Government is also providing land, security and fire services.