Former Balangir MP Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to include Tusura in the UDAAN scheme and start the expansion process for the runway to better serve people of western Odisha
In a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Singh Deo pointed out that the Tusra Airstrip was chosen by the Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI) as a second base for flying school training as per their agreement with the Government of Odisha.
The GATI had given their acceptance to operate a base for the flying school on condition that up-gradation was undertaken as per requirement of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA ) guidelines, pointed out the letter.
An estimate of Rs 10,64,46,561 was submitted in July 2018 for various works to be undertaken, and Rs 6,53,63,952 was sanctioned in the first phase for expansion of runway and other works. However, around Rs 3,50,00,000 still remains pending for which the flying school is unable to operate.
"I request you to kindly expedite the same so that people of western Odisha can have an opportunity to become trained pilots," requested Singh Deo.
