Odisha government picks company for airport expansion

04 Dec 2023 CW Team

According to a letter from the Department of Commerce & Transport to RITES on November 15, 2023, the government accepted their proposal for DPR preparation, with each report costing Rs 10.10 million excluding GST. The oversight of the project will be handled by Suresh Chandra Hota, the Aviation advisor in the Directorate of Aviation.

This decision was prompted by a letter from Usha Padhee, the principal secretary of the Commerce and Transport department, to AAI chairman Sanjeev Kumar on July 4, 2023. In the letter, she urged the preparation of DPRs for Rourkela and Jeypore airports. The government, expressing a willingness to bear the expenses, requested details for upgrading these airports to the 3C license category.

Bimal Bisi, the former general secretary of Steel Executives? Federation of India (SEFI), praised the government's move and expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He advocated for prioritizing the upgrade of Rourkela airport and suggested a complete takeover from SAIL for seamless operations. Bisi emphasised the high demand on the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar route, citing 90 percent occupancy on Alliance Air?s ATR-72 flights.

Nevertheless, cancellations persist due to the absence of Instrument Landing System (ILS) and night landing facilities. It's noteworthy that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has operated the Rourkela airport of SAIL under an MoU for three years, with SAIL annually covering approximately Rs 40 million in operation costs. Until December 2022, the AAI spent about Rs 280 million for upgrading the airport to Code 2C, and plans for further expansion to Code 3C are currently on hold.

Contrary to the initial plans, the 19-seater aircraft promised by Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia for the Rourkela-Kolkata route did not materialize before the FIH Men?s Hockey World Cup 2023.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

In a notable development, RITES has been chosen by the Odisha government to act as a consultant for the formulation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) aimed at expanding the airports in Rourkela, Jeypore (Koraput), and Amarda Road (Mayurbhanj). The objective is to obtain Code 3C commercial operation licenses. It has been reported that the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) reneged on its commitments to advance the expansion projects. According to a letter from the Department of Commerce & Transport to RITES on November 15, 2023, the government accepted their proposal for DPR preparation, with each report costing Rs 10.10 million excluding GST. The oversight of the project will be handled by Suresh Chandra Hota, the Aviation advisor in the Directorate of Aviation. This decision was prompted by a letter from Usha Padhee, the principal secretary of the Commerce and Transport department, to AAI chairman Sanjeev Kumar on July 4, 2023. In the letter, she urged the preparation of DPRs for Rourkela and Jeypore airports. The government, expressing a willingness to bear the expenses, requested details for upgrading these airports to the 3C license category. Bimal Bisi, the former general secretary of Steel Executives? Federation of India (SEFI), praised the government's move and expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He advocated for prioritizing the upgrade of Rourkela airport and suggested a complete takeover from SAIL for seamless operations. Bisi emphasised the high demand on the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar route, citing 90 percent occupancy on Alliance Air?s ATR-72 flights. Nevertheless, cancellations persist due to the absence of Instrument Landing System (ILS) and night landing facilities. It's noteworthy that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has operated the Rourkela airport of SAIL under an MoU for three years, with SAIL annually covering approximately Rs 40 million in operation costs. Until December 2022, the AAI spent about Rs 280 million for upgrading the airport to Code 2C, and plans for further expansion to Code 3C are currently on hold. Contrary to the initial plans, the 19-seater aircraft promised by Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia for the Rourkela-Kolkata route did not materialize before the FIH Men?s Hockey World Cup 2023.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Infrastructure Transport

06 Jul 2026

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..