Bhubaneswar: Three more destinations in Odisha — Rangeilunda, Amarda, and Dandbose — have been included in the tender for air connectivity from the state capital under the modified regional connectivity scheme RCS-2 (Udan) launched by the Centre on March 25. Official sources indicated that, with the support of the Union civil aviation ministry, work on these three unserved airstrips is progressing rapidly. The ministry plans to announce the list of destinations and carriers soon.
With the addition of these three locations, the previously uncovered north and south Odisha regions will now be fully connected, as Mayurbhanj and Balasore (north) and Ganjam (south) districts will have air access. “Airports Authority of India (AAI) will take control of the new airstrips that will become operational shortly. The AAI will reimburse the construction costs and other technical work once the utilization certificate is submitted,” stated a senior state government official familiar with the developments.
Existing airstrips at Jeypore, Rourkela, and Utkela are already linked to the state capital under RCS, while the airport at Jharsuguda provides complete air coverage for the western district, slightly extending into the southwestern region. The addition of the three new airstrips will ensure connectivity to the core areas of both south and north Odisha, officials noted.
Previously, the defence ministry granted permission to the Odisha government to establish an airstrip on Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) land at Rasgovindpur near Amarda Road in Mayurbhanj district. This airstrip, originally built in 1940 as a wartime airfield during World War II, had remained unused for years, with local residents advocating for its revival to improve air connectivity to north Odisha.
A trial run has already been conducted at the Rangeilunda airstrip, and non-scheduled operations have commenced. “The operational trial of Rangeilunda airstrip in Ganjam district will complete the coverage in the south and south-central regions of Odisha, including Gajapati and Kandhamal districts,” the official added.
Last May, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that 15 of the 30 districts would have heliports, and a greenfield airport is planned for the port town of Paradip, as part of the state’s civil aviation expansion. In a subsequent phase, the government may request the Centre to add more destinations such as Gotama, Satibhata, Raisuan, Tusura, Jamadarpali, and Malkangiri. Currently, the state has 19 airports and airstrips, of which 12 are state-owned, along with 13 heliports.
