Patnaik seeks PM Modi's intervention for resuming flight services at Jharsuguda Airport

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to take relevant steps to resume flight operations at the newly-inaugurated Jharsuguda Airport.

Patnaik has also sought the help of the Prime Minister for issuing a notification in order to rename the airport as 'Veer Surendra Sai' Airport.

The chief minister stated that after suspension of flight operations of Air Odisha since October 6, the state aviation sector has taken a major hit.

"Air Odisha suspended its flight operations under the UDAN scheme from Jharsuguda after October 6, 2018, without any valid reason. This abrupt suspension of the existing operations has given a severe jolt to the aviation sector in the state and has also hurt the sentiments of the people of western Odisha," Patnaik said.

Patnaik also requested the Union government to introduce commercial flights in addition to the UDAN flights.

"In view of the foregoing, I would like to urge upon you to kindly direct Ministry of Civil Aviation for the immediate restoration of UDAN flight operations and also explore the possibility of starting operations from Jharsuguda to other parts of the state and neighbouring states through any Airlines either under RCS-UDAN or otherwise," Patnaik wrote.

Patnaik further asserted that Prime Minister had himself announced to change the name of the airport and must issue a notification for the same.

"Your good self had also announced the naming of Jharsuguda Airport as Veer Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda as a befitting tribute to the well-known freedom fighter and legendary son of the soil. However, notification to this effect has not been issued by the Government of India," the letter read.

Prime Minister Modi had inaugurated the Jharsuguda Airport on September 22 to flag off the UDAN flight from the airport.