Odisha government has decided to expand the airstrip at Rangeilunda at an estimated cost of Rs.44 crore to facilitate landing of 40 to 70 seated turboprop aircraft.
The existing airstrip with a 900-m runway is on 40 acre of land. Another 40 acres of land, including 30 acre of private land is required to upgrade it to 1,874-m runway, officials said today.
A high-level official team led by special secretary in the general administration department, AK Meena visited the airstrip on Friday.
“The works department has prepared a detail project report (DPR) at Rs.44 crore, including Rs.14 crore for land acquisition. The project report was submitted to the government,” said Executive Engineer, Works department, Berhampur, PK Das.
“We have asked the Ganjam district administration to start the land acquisition process soon,” said Meena.
The state government will provide funds for land acquisition to the district administration. A culvert will be built on the nearby canal and the Berhampur-Gopalpur road diverted slightly. Eddie Vanderdoes Jersey
