NEW DELHI: Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, inaugurated the Utkela Airport in Odisha on Thursday. The airport has been developed as part of the regional airport initiative under the UDAN scheme, with a total investment of Rs 31.07 crore.
A spokesperson from the ministry announced that the Utkela-Bhubaneswar-Utkela flight route is set to significantly enhance regional air connectivity, playing a crucial role in stimulating economic growth in the area.
Commencing from Thursday, IndiaOne airlines will operate flights along this route. The flights will be facilitated by 9-seater Cessna C-208 aircraft, which have been authorized under the UDAN scheme.
The Utkela Airport boasts a runway measuring 917 meters (2,995 ft.) in length and 30 meters in width. This addition takes the total count of airports in Odisha to five.
In his inaugural address, Scindia highlighted that the Utkela to Bhubaneswar air link is poised to dramatically reduce travel time from the current 8-hour road journey to a mere one hour and twenty minutes.
Elaborating on this, the Minister emphasized that this development marks a new beginning for the Kalahandi region, ushering in economic activities that will create a diverse range of employment opportunities.
Scindia also underscored the collaborative efforts between the central government and the Odisha state government in bolstering civil aviation infrastructure within the region.
Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Civil Aviation, General Dr. V K Singh (Retd), noted that approximately Rs 31 crore was invested by the Central government in the redevelopment of the Utkela airport.
He further pointed out that this air connection between Kalahandi and Bhubaneswar, as well as other cities in the state, will not only accelerate development but also contribute to the overall growth of the region.
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