September 07, 2008

Modernization of Rourkela airstrip delayed

SNS reported that the much awaited expansion and modernization of the existing airstrip at Rourkela to a fully functional airport seems to have been delayed.

The Airport Authority of India showed interest in developing the Rourkela airport to a level where bigger aircraft can land. Last year a team official discussed the project with RSP authorities here. But a year later nothing has moved. Neither the AAI or nor the state government or any agency have sincerely followed the project.

The focus has apparently shifted to neighboring Jharsuguda, district where an airstrip has been lying unused for several decades. Reliable sources say the AAI is not keen to work on two airports in such short distances and hence if Jharsuguda were to be developed the one at Rourkela will be abandoned.

It was set up by TATA Steel as they had interest in this area as they wanted dolomite for their steel unit. This was set for facilitating the movement of its officials in this area during the quarrying days. However, once TATAs stopped their operation the airstrip was handed over to the state government and in due course it came into the possession of RSP and since then it is being maintained by RSP.

After the grand revival of RSP and simultaneous industrialization of Sundergarh district gave rise to the need of a fully functional airstrip with regular flight connection to Rourkela. A persistent demand for regular flight connection to Rourkela thus came to the fore. Some private operators also showed interest to start tri weekly flight.