After BJD, Cong seeks Odisha CM’s intervention for flight ops from Jharsuguda airport

Bhubaneswar: After ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Congress too raised concern over the non-operation of flights from the newly inaugurated Jharsuguda airport.

In a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Congress MLA from Jharsuguda Naba Das sought his intervention for regular operation of flights from Jharsuguda under UDAN scheme.

He also demanded to officially name the airport after veteran freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai.

Although Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced it as the Veer Surendra Sai Airport on inauguration day of the airport on September 22 and assured it to be in full-fledged form, it is yet to be named after Veer Surendra Sai officially.

“Since last twenty days, no flight is coming nor is any official communication their naming the airport in the name of Veer Surendra Sai. It seems that Central government UDAN scheme has no meaning nor the government has any mind to name it by Veer Surendra Sai, rather it appears a false announcement,” wrote Das.

He said that the western Odisha people will go for a peaceful demonstration in front of Jharsuguda airport against Centre’s inaction to name the airport after Veer Surendra Sai and make it full-fledged with commercial flights.

The concern was raised a day after a delegation of BJD leaders met CM Patnaik over non-operation of UDAN flights from Jharsuguda.

The team led by party Jharsuguda president and Chairman Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) Kishore Mohanty discussed with the CM about the apathetic attitude of the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre towards proper functioning of the airport. They submitted a memorandum to him in this regard.

Read more: BJD leaders meet CM over non-operation of UDAN flights at Jharsuguda Airport

Earlier on Oct 23, the Congress legislator along with people from all the sectors had staged a demonstration in front of the Jharsuguda airport demanding to make the airport full-fledged.