Odisha: Jharsuguda airport gets nod to handle bigger planes

Bhubaneswar: Jharsuguda airport, considered as the second major airport in Odisha, has secured 4C license making it eligible for landing and take-off of bigger aircraft like A-320 airbus, official sources said today.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) today granted the 4C license to the newly-constructed airport. This has been confirmed by Jharsuguda Airport Director S K Chouhan.

The Jharsugada airport had already got category 2B license in May this year qualifying it for flight operations.

Recently, a team of DGCA, led by Mumbai-based Deputy Director S Saxena and a team of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) had conducted separate inspections of the ancillary facilities and security measures at the airport.

Earlier in the month, the Airport Director, had told the media that the airport is equipped with an ATS tower, a runway with required length and electrification, emergency health and other associated facilities.

Spread over a sprawling 909.22 acres, Jharsuguda airport was built after financial contribution of Rs 175 crore by the Centre and Rs 50 crore by the State Government.

Besides, an additional 275.55-acre land has been acquired for the airport.

The security arrangements will be looked after by Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the airport, sources added.

Earlier, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had requested Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu to name Jharsuguda Airport after renowned freedom fighter of Veer Surendra Sai, who hails from the same locality.