Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jun 4:

In a bid to start direct flight services from Biju Patnaik International Airport here to Singapore and Thailand, the Odisha Government has initiated talks with several airlines. In the process, Tiger Airways Singapore Pte Ltd has apparently agreed to provide direct flight service from Bhubaneswar to Singapore, sources said.

Pic Courtesy: www.smh.com.au Pic Courtesy: www.smh.com.au

"The State Government will soon give an approval to provide subsidy to the company following which a joint meeting will be held between Ministry of Civil Aviation, officials of Odisha Tourism Department and authorities of Tiger Airways. Direct flight service to Singapore could possibly start within two months. This will lead to increase in footfall of foreign visitors in the state," said Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda.

The Odisha Tourism Department has taken several initiatives to attract foreign visitors to the state. Importance is being laid on development of historical and Buddhist tourist destinations in the state. Similarly, the department is also emphasizing on flight services to fulfill its aim, sources said.

On the other hand, tender process has been completed for construction of an 108-feet high statue of Lord Buddha at Neulapur in Jajpur district. "The construction work of the statue has been vested on Hindustan Steel Work Construction Limited. The statue will be built at an expenditure of Rs 50 crore, which will be spent within five years at the rate of Rs 10 crore per year from the state budget. The statue will be visible from a distance of 10-15 kms," Panda said.