Paves the way for commencement of commercial operation of Rourkela Airport
Team News Riveting
Rourkela, October 28
With the signing of the agreement between Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and Airport Authority of India (AAI) , the commencement of commercial operation from Rourkela Airport has become imminent.
P K Satapathy, ED (P&A) of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) signed the agreement on behalf of SAIL while N V Subbarayudu, ED- II, JVC/PPP signed it for AAI at New Delhi today.
Keeping in view the urgent requirement of the airport because of the forthcoming World Cup Hockey matches to be played in Rourkela, SAIL-Rourkela Steel Plant under the guidance of Ms Soma Mondal, Chairman and Atanu Bhowmick, Director In-Charge has taken the initiative of owning the Airport and bear the major expenditure of the airport.
AAI on behalf of SAIL, RSP will operate and manage the airport, while the Odisha government will provide the security, fire and ambulance services.
SAIL, in 2018, had signed an MoU for use of its own Airport, under the UDAN scheme, for operation of commercial flights. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has provided financial support for the up-gradation of this Airport. Notably, the Environment Clearance for ‘upgradation of the present Air Strip to Airport for commercial use under RCS- UDAN scheme of Govt of India’ was granted by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, Odisha on 18th October 2022.
The operationalisation of the Airport, which was a long cherished dream of the Rourkelites, will not only enhance the connectivity of the city many fold but will also boost the health, academic, tourism and commercial sectors. The commencement of air services is also important in view of the forthcoming Hockey World Cup during January 2023, the global event that will witness a huge footfall to Rourkela during the period and the requirement of air connectivity to the city will be a major necessity for logistical reasons.
SAIL, one of the largest steel companies in the country and a ‘Maharatna’ CPSE has been actively participating in the development of peripheral areas around its production facilities.
