Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has asked the officials to make Malkangiri Airport operational by January 15, 2024.

Accordingly, Secretary to CM VK Pandian made a detailed review of the airport project and directed senior officials to go for the project on a mission mode.

The Malkangiri Airport lies in the hotbed of Maoists; hence, it assumes a lot of importance. Once completed, it will facilitate air service from the Red corridor.

For the airport, land acquisition, diversion of forest land and fencing of the total area have been completed so far. Timeline has been fixed for completion of infrastructure, licencing and operationalising the airport.

Tender worth Rs 33 crore has been floated by the Department of Works for the construction of the airport, which will come up in an area of 234 acres of land having a runway length of 1620X30 meter.

Recently, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra visited Malkangiri and reviewed progress of the airport. The district administration of Malkangiri is extending all out efforts for the ambitious project of air connectivity.

Besides, the Jeypore Airport will be operational soon and it will be opened with India One Flight ready for operations. So with completion of infrastructure and operationalization of the Malkangiri Airport,

south Odisha will be connected in a big way with air facility.

With CM’s direction, senior officials of the Department of Commerce and Transport are working jointly with other stakeholders for fast tracking the crucial air connectivity. Principal Secretary Commerce

and Transport Bishnupada Sethi is coordinating with other departments, including Revenue and Disaster Management, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Works and others for the purpose.