Brahmapur Airport Development Urged in Odisha

New Delhi, May 19 (PTI) BJD MP Sasmit Patra on Tuesday urged the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu to take expeditious steps for upgrade and development of Rangeilunda airstrip in Ganjam district of Odisha into a full-fledged commercial airport.

Patra met Naidu at his office and handed over a proposal for upgrade into a full-fledged commercial airport to be designated as 'Brahmapur Airport'.

In a detailed representation, Patra highlighted that the demand for a Brahmapur Airport is a long-standing aspiration of the people of southern Odisha and is critical for ensuring balanced regional development, economic growth and improved connectivity for the region.

He emphasised that southern Odisha -- comprising districts such as Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Koraput, Rayagada, and Malkangiri -- continues to remain significantly underserved in aviation infrastructure despite its economic, educational, and strategic importance.

He noted that Brahmapur functions as the principal commercial and educational hub of southern Odisha and serves a large population spread across southern districts as well as neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.


The letter also outlined Patra's sustained efforts on the issue over several years through repeated parliamentary interventions and public advocacy.

"A full-ledged Brahmapur airport would provide transformative benefits to southern Odisha. It would significantly strengthen regional connectivity, tourism, trade, exports, industrial growth and MSME development. It would improve access to healthcare and emergency medical evacuation, while also enhancing disaster preparedness and response capacity in a region frequently affected by cyclones and natural disasters.

"The project would further contribute towards balanced regional development in alignment with the Government of India's vision for inclusive infrastructure expansion under the UDAN framework," he said in his letter.

Seeking his urgent intervention, the Rajya Sabha MP requested upgrade of Rangeilunda into a regional commercial airport, initiation of joint feasibility and technical assessment with the Airports Authority of India and Government of Odisha, development of terminal, runway and navigational infrastructure; and formal recognition of the facility as "Brahmapur Airport".

Patra expressed confidence that under the leadership of Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, the long-standing aspirations of the people of southern Odisha would receive positive and expeditious consideration.