Keonjhar: Even as rampant mining has taken a heavy toll on forests and environment in various parts of this district, it has posed a threat to an airstrip at Tanto in Joda block.
Various quarters have demanded a halt to mining in the area and measures to develop the airstrip.
The issue has come up when the Central government has been boosting air connectivity through infrastructure development and expansion of airstrips under the UDAN scheme.
Locals alleged the government has taken care of interests of mining firms while ignoring the development of the airstrip. Over the last 50 years, such an important airstrip had been lying in neglect. However, its necessity was felt about 15 years ago when demand for minerals soared at the global level.
The Union civil aviation ministry had entrusted the maintenance of the airstrip to a private company. The airstrip is 1112 metres long and 80 metres wide while its runway is 1063 metres long. Currently, it is witnessing 20 flights daily. But the problem is pollution which has increased due to mining and blasting in mines surrounding the airstrip. This has posed a problem for its safety and security.
Experts assert that in the days ahead, the airstrip holds much potential and importance for air connectivity required for a mineral-rich district like Keonjhar. Most of the mines in the district are under Joda Mining Circle. Since about 80 big mining companies are operating, global focus is on the area now.
But the major stumbling block is lack of proper connectivity to the district. Multinationals are not keen to do business in the mining sector. Owners and top executives of some big mining firms use the airstrip for their visits. In the coming days, as the mining sector is expected to make a quantum jump, the traffic at the airstrip will increase. As the airstrip is not fully developed, common people are unable to make use of it.
A few years ago, some private helicopters used to operate from Bhubaneswar to this airstrip. Bhubaneswar is about 300 km from this mining area. If the airstrip is converted into a full-fledged airport, it can also boost tourism, said environmentalist Bimbadhar Behera.
Regional officer of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, Puskar Behera, said mining operations had been going on even before the airstrip existed. Steps are being taken to check pollution, the officer added.
PNN
