The Odisha government has proposed upgrading Rourkela airport for 4C CAT 1 IFR operation, considering the city’s growth potential.
Principal Secretary Usha Padhee sent a letter to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Vipin Kumar, requesting the design of a master plan and an OLS survey, with costs covered by the state government.
The proposed master plan includes expanding the runway to 2,700 meters in length and 45 meters in width, enabling the operation of larger aircraft like Airbus 320/B737 during day and night. The expansion requires 278 acres of SAIL land and 44 acres of private land.
The proposal follows a meeting between Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, focusing on the development of Rourkela Airport and the expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). The government aims to strengthen infrastructure, enhance connectivity, and accelerate regional growth, addressing land encroachment issues that have hindered RSP’s expansion.
