Dhenkanal: The plan to revive the Birasal airstrip in the Kankadahada block of this district received a shot in the arm with a flight carrying officials of the Union Civil Aviation Ministry landing at the airstrip Tuesday.
The flight carrying officials of the ministry’s Flight Training Institute went around the airstrip and took stock of its facilities. The team was led by Chief Flight Instructor OBK Singh and two officers of the training institute.
There are plans to use the airstrip as a training centre for pilots. Trainee pilots will visit this airstrip on flights from Bhubaneswar and undergo training at the airstrip.
As per available information, an Indian Air Force unit in West Bengal is likely to use the airstrip in future and their officials will visit the airstrip for inspection May 16.
The landing of a flight after a long time set abuzz chatters in the area. The airstrip at Birasal in tribal Kankadahada block spreads over 50 acres. Locals said that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik had landed at this airstrip during their visits to the district.
However, due to lack of regular upkeep the airstrip was soon abandoned and faded into oblivion. It was lying neglected when the Union Civil Aviation Ministry decided to renovate it and use it as a training centre for pilots.
Later, the general administration department sanctioned Rs 9.18 crore in fiscal 2017-18 for revival of the airstrip and the works department was asked to take up its development.
A sum of Rs 1 crore was spent on construction of a compound wall and the remaining funds were used for airstrip development and for providing various other facilities.
The Union Civil Aviation Ministry issued a no objection certificate for launching flight services from the airstrip after its renovation in 2018-19.
Works department executive engineer Manoranjan Biswal confirmed the development saying that the airstrip will be used for pilot training.
PNN