The Eastern Region Civil Aviation Ministers’ Conference kicked off today at MAYFAIR Convention, Bhubaneswar, bringing together key stakeholders from six states and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The event, inaugurated by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu and graced by Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, marks a significant step toward enhancing regional air connectivity and infrastructure across Eastern India.
The conference featured high-level deliberations on airport and heliport development, the UDAN scheme, aviation skill-building, drone ecosystem expansion, and Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). Dedicated sessions with state delegations from Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands allowed for tailored discussions on region-specific aviation priorities.
Industry leaders and officials from MoCA, AAI, DGCA, BCAS, and AERA participated in parallel sessions focused on investment opportunities, public-private partnerships, and policy support. The plenary session included remarks from Shri Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, MoCA, and special addresses by Shri Om Prakash Choudhary (Chhattisgarh) and Shri Bibhuti Bhushan Jena (Odisha).
The conference concluded with a visionary keynote by Shri Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, outlining the Government of India’s roadmap for modernizing aviation infrastructure, expanding regional connectivity, and fostering innovation in drones and emergency air services.
Odisha’s hosting of this landmark event reaffirms its emergence as a strategic aviation hub in Eastern India and a committed partner in the nation’s civil aviation growth story.