AAI team visits sites for Ganjam airport

A four-member team of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has visited two sites identified for setting up an airport in Odisha's Ganjam district.
The team yesterday conducted study for the development of the existing state-owned airstrip at Rangeilunda, about 12-km from here, and also visited a proposed site near Ramchandrapur, officials said today.
At least 350-acres of land with the runways of 1.5-km length are required for development of mini airports, one of the visiting members said.
"We came here to make feasibility study and explore the possibilities of developing of an airport," said P K Mohapatra, joint general manager (plan) of AAI.

The team members discussed with the officials, including executive engineer (roads and buildings), Berhampur P K Das, revenue officers and MLA (Gopalpur) Pradip Panigrahi on different aspects of the identified sites.
"We have identified two sites -- the existing airstrip can be developed, or to develop the new airport at Ramchadrapur, near Rangeilunda," said Das.

The length of the existing airfield is around 975 metres, while the length and width of runway is 895 metres and 15 metres respectively. District administration has also identified over 220 acres of land adjacent to the airstrip for its expansion, sources said.
Setting up of an airport near Gopalpur assumes significance for air-connectivity to the area as several industries and port projects are under pipeline there.

Moreover, Berhampur University, Army Air Defence College, famous beach resort town-Gopalpur-on-Sea, Chilika Lake are existing near the area.
AAI team had already visited Jeypore in Koraput, about two months ago to assess the situation there for building an airport.