Rourkela: Several social organisations have appealed to the Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Schindhia for the total takeover of Rourkela Airport by the Airport Authority of India (AAI). Besides, they have also appealed for an increased share of flights in the winter schedule, which the ministry has declared recently.
In a joint letter written by Sachetana Nagarika Mancha (SNM) and Paschim Odisha Sanskrutika Parishad (POSP), which have a long list of illustrious citizens of the city as members, the outfits have tried to draw the attention of the minister towards some genuine issues plaguing Rourkela Airport, the third airport of the state. Bimal Bisi, vice-president of POSP and former secretary of the Steel Executive Federation of India (SEFI) said, “Rourkela Airport badly needs more connectivity. But the recent winter schedule of the ministry shows that Rourkela’s air connectivity remains limited to a single plane being operated by Alliance Air on a daily basis.” “This is the third airport of the state and as far as passengers’ response is concerned there is nothing to complain about,” he further argued adding, “Residents want more flights than just one with an ATR.” While VSS Airport in Jharsuguda will get connectivity to Hyderabad, Bangalore, Vizag and other places, Rourkela Airport has just one despite registering good passenger response.”
Meanwhile, PP Ray, the general secretary of SNM, a body fighting for many causes of the Steel City said, “It is unfortunate that we have an airport but do not have a night landing system or instrument landing system (ILS). Passengers are suffering and so is the credibility of the airport because even with slightly bad weather the only plane gets cancelled.” “Flight cancellation has taken place more than a couple of times during the last summer when the city was affected by norwesterly.
Now the monsoon is at its peak and the plane gets cancelled several times. It is a big embarrassment for us as people make fun of it” he said further adding, “We are glad that the state government has requested the ministry to send a team of AAI to inspect and start the process of installation of ILS.” “Owing to the absence of the system, many travelling for urgent works like exams, interviews or health concerns face a harrowing struggle after the flight is cancelled. So we have requested the ministry for immediate installation of the ILS at the airport for quickening the process to hand it over to the AAI,” Ray said.
