Opening of new airport thrills Odisha expats
dubai — Non-resident Odias (NRO) staying in the UAE are thrilled at the inauguration of the second operational airport in the western part of the Odisha in Jharsuguda on Saturday. They celebrated the occasion in front of the Burj Khalifa by wearing traditional Sambalpuri dresses and cutting a specially designed cake to express their joy.
NROs residing in the UAE are hopeful that this airport will be the catalyst for the rapid development of the region and will ultimately improve the life of the people in a significant way.
The need for an airport was particularly felt by the non-residents who had to endure long international flights to major airports like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata and then wait for a connecting flight to Bhubaneswar or Raipur (two airports in the region). Their journey to reach their hometowns often takes 5-6 hours.
Priyadarshee Panigrahi, who hails from western Odisha, said: “This airport will connect the entire western region of Odisha with the world. Many businesses and institutions refused to be based in Sambalpur and its surroundings. Tourism will also get a big boost.”
Another NRO from Dubai, Rajesh Tripathy said: “Currently my home town Bargarh is a good 6-7 hours of road travel from Bhubaneswar. With this airport, I will be able reach home within two hours.”
Manas Panda, one of the senior most members of the Odia community in the UAE, said: “I feel this is the catalyst which will ignite development of the region”.
Rajat Rath, who belongs to Bhawanipatna and has been a UAE resident for over 10 years said the airport was a long overdue one. Alokmay Behera, a Dubai-based environmental consultant from
This airport will connect the entire western region of Odisha with the world. Tourism will also get a big boost.”
Priyadarshee Panigrahi, Dubai resident
Sambalpur, felt that air connectivity will significantly boost campus placements in various institutes like IIM Sambalpur and VSSUT Burla. “Many top recruiters were shying away from coming to various educational and professional institutes in the region because of the lack of connectivity,” according to him.
Jharsuguda airport was actually a 1942 Second World War aerodrome. It was upgraded with help from the Central Government of India along with a contribution by the Odisha State Government.