Odisha to bring Patnaik’s Dakota aircraft

The Odisha government has initiated the process to bring back Dakota (DC-3), the iconic aircraft of former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik which is reportedly lying in a neglected condition at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. The state transport and commerce department has floated a tender or Request For Proposal for the shifting of old aircraft from NSCBI airport to Bhubaneswar.

In a letter to the additional secretary (technical) of the Odisha works department, chief engineer of buildings has said, “The Government of Odisha is looking for experience qualified firms to provide the service for disassemble, transportation, assembly, restoration and interior/exterior renovation of an old Dakota aircraft.” The Dakota aircraft belonged to the erstwhile Kalinga Airlines owned by Patnaik. Once the defunct plane is brought back, it will be displayed as a museum object in Bhubaneswar after necessary restoration and renovation to commemorate the legacy and legendary heroics of Patnaik, read the letter.

Biju Patnaik, father of present Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, had used the aircraft to rescue erstwhile Indonesian Vice President Muhammad Hatta and Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir from enemy clutches in July 1947. The aircraft was a part of the fleet of 18 Dakota planes of Kalinga Airlines which was formed by Biju Patnaik. All the planes of Kalinga Airlines were used for ferrying troops to Srinagar and carrying army equipment during the Kashmir Operation in 1947-48.

Biju Patnaik, like many other pilots, used the term “Gooney Bird” for his aircraft.