There seems bright future for the abandoned Jharsuguda Airport.

With Naveen Patnaik promising to go out of the way to develop the Jharsuguda Airport, the Chairman Airport Authority of India (AAI) is hopeful about the future of the almost abandoned airstrip.

Chief Minister held a detailed discussion with V P Agarwal, Chairman of AAI here on 28 December. 

Jharsuguda Airport, which was built during Second World War, belongs to AAI.

At present the airport is not in operation, while Air Traffic Control Tower is functional.

Considering the locality and recent surge of industrial activities in the state and particularly in the Jharsuguda region, the State Government is keen that development and upgradation of Jharsuguda Airport is taken up by AAI.

Hence the Chief Minister talked to the Chairman AAI at length and reportedly acceded to the demand of the AAI to bear the cost of Rs.25 crore needed for both land and infrastructure.

815 acres of land is needed for the purpose.

Secondly power, water and road infrastructure is required to be provided free of cost.

So the financial implications will be coming around Rs.25 crore, which will be borne by the State Government, said sources.

State Government and AAI will sign a MOU for development of the airport.

Among other U N Behera, Principal Secretary Forest & Environment, S K Ray, Secretary Works, P K Mohanty, Special Secretary to CM and senior officials were present.