The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has officially launched an Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) survey at Rourkela Airport, a critical move toward upgrading the facility to a Code 4C classification.
This enhancement will allow the airport to handle larger aircraft, such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. Although slightly delayed, the survey commenced on Wednesday.
A team of three AAI officials — including an associate consultant and two GIS experts — is conducting the survey between April 15 and 22. This effort follows a proposal from Odisha’s Commerce and Transport department, submitted on February 15, to transition Rourkela Airport to support 4C CAT 1 Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations. The upgrade aligns with Rourkela’s growing stature as a key industrial and steel-producing hub.
According to the preliminary master plan laid out by the Directorate of Aviation, the airport’s runway will be extended to 2,700 meters in length and 45 meters in width. The proposal also includes installation of advanced navigation systems like DVOR (Doppler VHF Omni Range) and CAT 1 Instrument Landing System (ILS), essential for supporting larger commercial flights.
A crucial meeting on March 6 brought together senior leaders including Union Tribal Affairs Minister and local MP Jual Oram, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena. They met with officials from Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), AAI, and the local administration to resolve land acquisition challenges holding back the airport’s development.
