Jeypore: The possibility of daily flights from here brightened with the inclusion of the local airstrip in the Ude Desh ki Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme. The scheme was launched by union civil aviation ministry to connect all small towns of the country.
However, everything depends on the report of a technical team deputed by Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that visited the strip March 7. Apart from Jeypore, Rourkela airport has featured in the scheme under the regional connectivity scheme of the ministry, it was learnt.
The Centre launched UDAN in October with an objective to start flight service from small un-utilised airstrips of the country to tourist destinations and other small centres. According to the proposal, needy passengers can avail 30 minutes of flight at a fare as low as `2,500. The Centre has also planned to offer subsidy to the service provider under this scheme. For this, proposals were invited from various companies to start such an economic service from 398 small airstrips of the country. There are 27 airstrips in the state which has featured in the list.
Meanwhile, 11 companies in the country that provide flight services have taken interest in the scheme and agreed to launch the service in 200 routes from 45 airstrips across the nation in initial stage. The airstrips in Jeypore and Rourkela have been included in this service.
The technical team that visited both the towns of the state examined the possibility of landing and taking off of M-28-T aircraft at these aerodromes. These aircraft, having a set of two engines, can transport 18 passengers at one go excluding the pilot. The team is learnt to have suggested the district administration to carry out some modifications to start the flight service. The service can resume if the suggestions of the Central team are carried out, sources said.
The state government had launched the flight service from this airstrip by engaging Air Orissa, a private service provider. Though the company launched its operation with much fanfare in 2016 by introducing nine-seated single engine aircraft, the service got discontinued after a few days for various reasons.
Meanwhile, the state government has started the expansion of the airstrip under UDAN scheme and the initiative of both the state and Centre has received warm reception by locals. PNN
