The Odisha government on Wednesday, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for developing an airport at Jharsuguda. The airport project is estimated to cost Rs 210 crore.

At present, AAI operates an airstrip at Jharsuguda, used by a few chartered aircraft. This airstrip will be upgraded to a full-fledged airport. The length of the runway at the Jharsuguda airstrip will be increased from 6,500 ft to 7,800 ft, making it possible for A-320 Airbus planes to land and take off. Apart from that, the upgrade will include the construction of a terminal building, an isolation bay, a new technical block, a control tower and a fire station, and installation of improved navigational and visual aids and ground-lighting facilities.

Of the overall estimated project cost, the Odisha government will provide Rs 75 crore. AAI already has 909.22 acre in Jharsuguda. The state government has agreed to provide 296.5 acre, of which 118.75 acre will be handed over immediately.

Odisha has just one full-fledged airport — the Biju Patnaik International Airport.

A full-fledged Jharsuguda airport is also expected to boost industrial units in the region. Sterlite Energy’s 2,400 MW coal-based power plant and Sesa Sterlite’s 1.75 million tonne aluminium smelter are located in Jharsuguda, along with a number of sponge iron units.

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