UDAN: Commercial flight operations commences from Rourkela Airport

New Delhi: Commercial flight operations under the 'UDAN' scheme has commenced from Rourkela Airport on Saturday amidst an enthusiastic welcome extended by the Rourkelites. The first flight, an ATR-72 aircraft of Alliance Airways arrived at Rourkela from Bhubaneswar at about 12.00 Noon.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation & Steel Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State, Minister of Civil Aviation Gen Dr VK Singh (Retd.) flagged off the flight on virtual mode.

Thereafter, Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik physically flagged off the flight at the Biju Patnaik International Stadium in the presence of many other dignitaries.

It is worth mentioning here that, the Udaan Scheme conceived under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is a regional airport development program of the Government of India and part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) of upgrading under-serviced air routes. Its goal is to make air travel affordable and improve economic development in India. The Rourkela Airport was taken up under the Udaan scheme, keeping in view the long-cherished need and dream of the people living in and around Rourkela.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) spent around Rs 60 crores towards the development of the entire Airport including expansion and strengthening of the runway and addition of several other facilities. SAIL provided additional 143 acres of land for the expansion and upgradation of the airport.

An agreement was signed between SAIL-RSP and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) on 28th October 2022, thereby paving the way for the commencement of commercial operation of the airport.

Under the constant guidance and supervision of Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Dharmendra Pradhan the process of upgradation got a robust momentum and on December 19, DGCA gave 2C licence to the airport. Keeping in view the urgent requirement of the airport because of the World Cup Hockey matches to be played in Rourkela, which is a matter of pride for Rourkela, the jobs were completed in a very fast pace. Rourkela Steel Plant is owning the Airport and bearing the entire expenditure of the airport which will be more than Rs. 3 crores per annum. AAI on behalf of SAIL, RSP will operate and manage the airport, while State Govt will provide the Security, Fire Services and Ambulance services.

The operationalisation of the Rourkela Airport, will not only enhance the connectivity of the city manyfold but will also boost the health, academic, tourism and commercial sectors.

(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)