BHUBANESWAR/BERHAMPUR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday flagged off the first non-scheduled flight service between Bhubaneswar and Rangeilunda near Berhampur in Ganjam district. India One Air will operate in the Bhubaneswar-Rangeilunda route using a nine-seater small aircraft twice a week.
“In order to increase air connectivity from state capital to other cities, the government of Odisha has started the fully state-sponsored flight operation on Bhubaneswar-Rangeilunda (Berhampur) route. The long-standing demand for flight operation to Rangeilunda has been fulfilled,” the CMO said.
Berhampur will now be connected with Bhubaneswar by air and will reduce the travel time to one hour. “The presence of attractive places and tourist destinations like Chilika and Tampara lakes, Gopalpur beach, Rushikulya river and Tara Tarini temple will attract many tourists after air connectivity at Rangeilunda,” it said.
The air service will immensely benefit senior doctors and professors of MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur University, Indian Rare Earth Limited (IREL), IISER and businessmen from the city, it added.
Earlier, Rangeilunda airstrip was used only on handful occasions for flight operations during the arrival of dignitaries. “The chief minister has always stressed on transforming and developing every corner of Odisha. An airport at Rangeilunda to connect the capital city was a much-needed aspiration of local community to accelerate economic activity in the region,” the statement said.
The first flight landed in the airstrip to a water canon salute amid loud cheers from a large crowd. It had four girl students as the first passengers and on the return flight Berhampur mayor, deputy mayor, Ganjam zilla parishad president and Rangeilunda block chairperson boarded it for Bhubaneswar.
Ganjam collector Dibya Jyoti Parida said the basic minimum facilities like security and cabin have been established at the airstrip. The process of expansion of the airstrip has also started. While land on the east and north of Berhampur university has already been transferred, acquisition of private land on the west side is also underway. A fresh tender has been floated to for execution of the expansion work, said the collector.
Berhampur is considered as a commercial hub of southern Odisha which has seen a rapid growth in its population and industry. The flight operation in this route will boost the industry and tourism sector, he said.