The progress of regional air connectivity initiatives in Odisha under the Ude Deshki Aam Nagarik (UDAN) scheme were reviewed by Chief Secretary AP Padhi at a State level Moonitoring Committee meeting here on Friday.
General Administration Special Secretary Ashok Kumar Meena outlined the issues for discussion. The Chief Secretary directed to complete the short-term project report for operationalisation of airports at Utkela and Joypore by May 31. The Executive Engineers of the concerned districts were instructed to prepare the report.
Padhi further directed to expedite preparation of long-term DPRs for full-phased development of these airports.
The UDAN scheme is being implemented in Odisha in joint collaboration between the State and Central Governments.
It was decided at the meeting that un-served and underserved areas would be prioritised under the scheme. Four airports at Utkela, Jeypore, Jharsuguda and Rourkela would be developed for regional air connectivity. The Bhubaneswar airport has also been included in the list for regional connectivity from the State capital.
The routes like Bhubaneswar to Utkela, Utklela to Raipur, Bhubaneswar to Jeypore, Bhubaneswar to Jharsuguda, Jharsuguda to Ranchi and Bhubaneswar to Rourkela were suggested for regional connectivity. It was decided to make the airports operational by September 2017.
The meeting further deliberated on Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and other subsidies to the airline operators to kickoff operations during initial period keeping the passenger fares at affordable level. As per initial calculations, the average price of a subsidised ticket to be paid by the passengers for these flights would be around Rs 2,500. The subsidy would be borne both by the Central and State Governments on 80:20 ratio.