Bhubaneswar: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati Thursday suggested setting up heliports at two to three locations in the state under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode to test the viability of the concept. The Governor made this proposal while chairing a review meeting on the status of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Railways, and Aviation projects in Odisha, held at the New Abhishek Hall of Raj Bhavan.
Appreciating the idea of heliports, Kambhampati said, “There are places that take six to eight hours by road. If heliports are introduced, they will not only cut down travel time but also generate wider interest among the general public.”
During the review, the Governor emphasised the expansion of runways at state-owned airstrips to facilitate larger aircraft operations. He also sought details on the Cadet Pilot Programme for tribal girls and the number of international flights operating from Biju Patnaik International Airport. Highlighting Odisha’s tourism potential, Kambhampati suggested developing cruise terminals at existing ports instead of creating greenfield projects, stating that such an approach would save time and attract cruise ships.
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He further stressed the need to include fishing jetties in ports to protect the livelihoods of fishermen. When apprised of the Driving Training Institute at Chhatia, the Governor proposed introducing driving training courses in Government Polytechnics and ITIs to enhance students’ employability and enable them to explore overseas job opportunities. Reviewing railway projects, he enquired about their progress, including the redevelopment of Bhubaneswar railway station, and advised Railways to consult with the state government before finalising alignments.
On NHAI projects, Kambhampati said the benefits of highway investments must be visible to the people. He also enquired about passenger amenities along the highways and provisions for electric vehicle charging stations. Expressing satisfaction over the progress of NHAI, Railways, and Aviation projects, the Governor called for better coordination among departments to ensure the timely resolution of issues and speedy implementation.
