Jharsuguda: The much-awaited inauguration of the airport here is expected to take place September 22 but the date of commencement of flight services from the strip under UDAN scheme is yet to be finalised, said the Airports Authority of India (AAI) chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra Friday.
Mohapatra who visited the town ahead of Prime Minister’s visit for the inaugural event said, “The beginning of flight operations depends on the state government.”
Though, Air Odisha operations head Santosh Pani visited the airport Friday he chose not to comment on the commencement of the flight services.
While the locals are upbeat about the inaugural event, uncertainty over availability of flight services has dampened their spirit, it was said.
Apart from AAI chairman, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Brajarajnagar MLA Radharani Panda and Jharsuguda airport director SK Chouhan took stock of the airport preparedness. Chairman Mohapatra examined the runway, terminal, ATC tower and security and fire safety system during his routine visit. He appreciated the status of infrastructure development of the airport.
AAI’s regional director SP Yadav and planning board member Anil Pathak visited the airport Thursday to review its preparedness.
PNN