A five-member team of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) on Sunday visited the Rourkela Airstrip to examine various aspects for launching of commercial flight services from the airstrip after its upgradation. The team members also held discussions with top officials of the Rourkela Steel Plant regarding upgradaion.
The team paid a two-day visit, which concluded on Sunday, to the steel city following a request made to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by local MlA Dilip Ray and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram in this regard. The team led by AAI Joint General Manager N Makhija also checked land documents relating to the airstrip, which has a 6,000- foot runway. The team would submit its survey report to the AAI soon. Then, after due approval, the AAI and the RSP would sign an agreement for the upgradation and launching of commercial flight services, sources said.
The AAI team has reportedly recommended for an expansion of the runway area by another 2,000 feet. If, the proposal materialises, at least a 70-seater capacity aircraft can fly from the airstrip, sources added. “We have conducted a survey for Rourkela Airstrip upgradation. We will submit our report and, accordingly, necessary action will be taken,” said Makhija.