In a significant step towards fulfilling the long-cherished aspiration of millions in Southern Odisha, BJD Rajya Sabha MP Dr Sasmit Patra has formally submitted a comprehensive proposal to Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, calling for the development and upgradation of the existing Rangeilunda Airstrip in Ganjam district into a full-fledged commercial airport to be named “Brahmapur Airport”.
The letter highlights the acute aviation deficit faced by Southern Odisha despite the region’s growing economic, educational, and strategic importance. Brahmapur serves as the principal hub for the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Koraput, Rayagada, and Malkangiri, as well as large parts of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Yet residents currently rely on Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam airports, causing unnecessary delays, higher costs, and missed opportunities.
Dr. Patra, who has consistently championed the cause both inside and outside Parliament, reminded the Minister that the Rangeilunda airstrip was identified under the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme in 2018. Regular RCS operations began in March 2023, proving strong public demand and operational viability.
The MP has raised the issue repeatedly in Parliament — through a Parliamentary Question on 8 February 2025 regarding a Greenfield airport at Rangeilunda, interventions in March 2025, a powerful Zero Hour appeal in the Rajya Sabha on 9 December 2025, and Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 177 on 2 February 2026. The government itself acknowledged that Rangeilunda “has been identified for development to support RCS flights.”
In his letter, Dr Patra painted a vivid picture of the transformative impact a full-fledged Brahmapur Airport would bring:
- Boost to tourism, especially Gopalpur-on-Sea and coastal Odisha
- Enhanced export and logistics for seafood, agriculture, textile, and MSME sectors
- Faster emergency medical connectivity and healthcare access
- Strengthened disaster preparedness in a cyclone-prone region
He has urged the Ministry to initiate a joint feasibility and technical assessment with the Airports Authority of India and the Government of Odisha, develop the required terminal, runway, and navigational infrastructure, and formally designate the facility as “Brahmapur Airport”.
“This has been a long-standing aspiration of the people of Southern Odisha,” Dr Patra wrote. “A full-fledged Brahmapur Airport would significantly strengthen regional connectivity, tourism, trade, industrial growth, and balanced regional development in line with the Government of India’s vision under the UDAN framework.”With Southern Odisha poised for rapid growth, the proposal has already generated huge excitement among locals, business communities, and students. If accepted, the project could mark a historic milestone in Odisha’s aviation infrastructure story — finally giving the region the modern airport it has waited decades for.
