Odisha is poised to become a major hub for aviation in Eastern India, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi unveiling a series of transformative initiatives at the Eastern Region Civil Aviation Ministers’ Conference held in Bhubaneswar.
Under the state’s flagship B-MAAN (Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network) program, a Cadet Pilot Program will be launched to provide specialised training for tribal girls to become pilots, empowering them to take flight in a traditionally male-dominated field.
In a significant step toward enhancing aviation infrastructure, the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Air Works, a leading Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) service provider, to establish a state-of-the-art MRO facility at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. This partnership will also focus on skill development, training, and job creation for Odisha’s youth, bolstering the state’s aviation ecosystem.
Chief Minister Majhi highlighted that Odisha’s airports have been connected to 15 new destinations in the past 14 months, strengthening national and international connectivity. The state is also developing a world-class aviation training centre at Birasal in Dhenkanal district, alongside plans for flight training, UAV (drone) training, and aerosports facilities at various airports. Additionally, a progressive land allotment policy will facilitate these activities, while 14 airstrips will be upgraded into full-fledged airports, and 15 heliports will be established in districts lacking airports.
The Chief Minister emphasised the development of a world-class international airport in Puri, which will serve as a spiritual and cultural gateway for millions of Jagannath devotees worldwide. Land has also been allocated for the expansion of Jharsuguda Airport, further strengthening Odisha’s aviation network.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, speaking at the event, reiterated the central government’s commitment to supporting Odisha’s aviation infrastructure. He emphasised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making air travel accessible to all, including those wearing “hawai chappals” (slippers), through initiatives like the UDAN scheme, which has democratized aviation and opened new opportunities in Eastern India.
The conference saw participation from key dignitaries, including Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, Odisha’s Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, and Chhattisgarh Finance Minister Om Prakash Choudhury. The event was inaugurated with a welcome address by Civil Aviation Secretary Sameer Sinha, while Odisha’s Principal Secretary of Commerce and Transport, Usha Padhee, presented details and delivered the vote of thanks.
Odisha’s ambitious aviation roadmap is set to not only enhance connectivity but also empower its youth, foster economic growth, and align with the vision of a developed India by 2047.
