The State Government is now all set to start the first regional air connectivity (RCS) operation from Jharsuguda. The flight operation from Jhasusguda to Bhubaneswar is scheduled to start on June 14.
This was decided at a meeting of the State-level monitoring committee on RCS-UDAN held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi at the State Secretariat on Thursday wherein General Administration and Civil Aviation Secretary Ashok Kumar Meena outlined the issues for discussion.
Reviewing the progress and preparedness for starting the UDAN operation, Padhi advised the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Air Port Authority of India (AAI) to expand the facilities for training of security personnel. They were asked to provide training in Bhubaneswar so that more number of security personnel could be trained quickly.
Meanwhile, the Rourkela airstrip has been made ready for UDAN operation and an MoU has been signed between the SAIl and the AAI regarding airstrip management and operation. The State Government would provide security and fire personnel for the airstrip.
While the runway expansion works for the Jeypore and Utkela airports are completed, the Chief Secretary wanted to complete associated civil works by June 2018. The Obstacle and limitation Surface (OlS) survey of all the four airports have been completed.
Meena told reporters an operation certificate for the Jharsuguda Airport has already been sanctioned. Fire personnel have already been trained and deployed and the Home Department has deputed the security personnel.
The BACS has been requested to train the required number of personnel for deployment. An application has already been submitted for civil aviation licence for Rourkela. Flight operations would start after getting the licence.
The State Government is providing both manpower and financial support to make the regional connectivity scheme viable during initial periods. It is also providing land, security and fire services, electricity and water at minimum rates for regional air connectivity as part of its ‘Make in Odisha’ initiative.
It is expected that such subsidies and financial assistance would keep the ticket cost at an affordable level. The average price of a ticket to be paid by passengers for these flights would be around Rs 2,500.
The routes like Bhubaneswar to Utkela, Utklela to Raipur, Bhubaneswar to Jeypore, Bhubaneswar to Jharsuguda, Jharsuguda to Ranchi and Bhubaneswar to Rourkela have been suggested for regional connectivity.