Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr. Praful Patel was visiting Orissa and he made some statements regarding airports in Orissa. following are excerpts from various news reports on this.

Economic Times/PTI:

The Centre plans to set up another airport at Jharsuguda in western Orissa besides upgrading the existing Biju Patnaik Airport here to that of international standard, Civil Aviation minister Praful Patel said on Monday.

Announcing the Centre’s plan, he said that as one airport is not adequate for the state, the Centre has decided to develop another one in Orissa.

“The Centre will also upgrade the Bjiu Patnaik Airport since there are a lot of activities here,” Patel told a meeting here.

The union minister’s announcement about an international airport came in the wake of rapid industrialisation drive in the state with investors making a beeline for it.

The need for an airport of international standard was also echoed by state Tourism Minister Debi Prasad Mitra.

“An airport of international standard is essential for the state’s overall growth,” Mishra said.

Besides catering to the business houses, the international airport would help tour operators bring foreign tourists to the state which has a 480 km coastline, sanctuaries, historical monuments like the Sun Temple at Konark and beaches, he said.

Tathya.in:

The Union Civil Aviation Ministry is in process of preparing a Cabinet Memorandum to be placed to make Bhubaneswar an international airport.

This was disclosed by Prafulla Patel, Union Minister for Civil Aviation in the sidelines of a media conference held here on 24 September.

He said the Memorandum is being given final shape and soon will be sent to the Cabinet for approval.

The demand to declare the Biju Patnaik Airport at Bhubaneswar as an international airport has gained ground in view of the abundant tourism potential in the state, said Mr.Patel.