Bhapur: The state government has sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for renovation of the now defunct Banamalipur airstrip in Nayagarh district, a report said.
The sanctioned funds will be used in construction of a compound wall around the airstrip before making it operational and turn it into an airport.
This has spread cheer among the residents who thanked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and local MLA Anubhav Patnaik for the allotment of funds. Meanwhile, the rural development department after receiving funds has started construction of the compound wall.
The airstrip is spread over 150 acres in Banamalipur village in between Bhapur and Khandapara blocks. It was used by the former Khandapara royal and former minister Harihar Singh Mardaraj.
The airstrip had a rich history as it played host to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the then Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram and nuclear scientist Dr Raja Ramanna when they visited the district. A 10-ft high cement-concrete dais near the airstrip bears testimony to the visit of the dignitaries to the district.
Later, the airstrip slipped into oblivion due to administrative negligence and pathetic attitude of the Airport Authority of India (AAI). As a result, parts of the airstrip land were encroached upon by locals. However, the residents kept on demanding for its renovation and making it operational.
The demand to upgrade Banamalipur airstrip into an airport was made by pasts MLAs and ministers even before the state and Centre decided to make the Jharsuguda airport operational. However, their attempts were never successful as the district administration and state governments in past never showed any concern to make the airstrip operational.
However, in later years the Union Civil Aviation Ministry realizing the tourism and strategic importance of the state gave the go ahead to make the airstrip operational.
The Khandapara MLA drew the attention of the Chief Minister to make this airstrip operational. The Chief Minister directed the district administration to conduct a feasibility study and submit a report to him.
However, the former Collectors never took care to implement the Chief Minister’s order. Former tehsildar Anita Panda of Khandapara conducted a measurement of the land and submitted a report. The state government made a study of the report and sanctioned the funds.
PNN
