Odisha's Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, marked a significant milestone on January 9 with the inauguration of the Malkangiri airport in the southwestern region of Odisha. This initiative aims to bolster connectivity and foster development in the tribal-dominated areas.
The newly inaugurated airport, sprawling over 233 acres in the Katelguda area of Goudaguda panchayat, has been established for INR 70 crore. Boasting a 1620-meter long and 30-meter wide runway, it is poised to initially accommodate nine-seater aircraft, an official confirmed.
With the addition of the Malkangiri airport, the count of operational airports in the state has now risen to seven. Chief Minister Patnaik expressed his delight, terming the airport's establishment as a "dream come true" for the residents of Swabiman Anchal, once a hotbed of Maoist activities.
"The air connectivity to Malkangiri will usher in a new era of development, open up avenues of business and tourism, and further transform the lives of the people in the region," Patnaik emphasised.
Patnaik's visit to Malkangiri marked a significant stride in regional development initiatives. In addition to the airport inauguration, the Chief Minister unveiled plans for an INR 4,000-crore integrated irrigation project at Govindpalli. This project is anticipated to irrigate 92,815 acres of agricultural land and provide drinking water to 1.5 lakh people, with work slated to commence by July 2024, as per an official statement.
Moreover, the authorities at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar extended technical support to ensure the smooth operationalisation of the Malkangiri airport, officials confirmed.
(With inputs from PTI)
