Jharsuguda: The Indian government has greenlit an investment of Rs 2,100 crore for the expansion and modernization of Veer Surendra Sai (VSS) Airport in Jharsuguda, with the goal of enhancing air travel connectivity in western Odisha.
Pradip Purohit, the Bargarh MP and chair of the Airport Advisory Committee, shared this information following a meeting focused on proposed enhancements for the airport’s infrastructure.
Purohit mentioned that approximately 350 acres of land will be acquired for the expansion, which will involve extending the runway, building a new terminal, and upgrading passenger facilities to improve air connectivity in the region.
“We held discussions with relevant authorities regarding the airport’s development initiatives, which include plans for direct flights to Mumbai and Chennai, as well as an additional morning flight to New Delhi. These proposals will be presented to the Civil Aviation Ministry for review. Additionally, we will approach the Culture department to ensure that the rich art and cultural heritage of western Odisha is showcased at the airport,” he stated.
According to officials, the acquisition process for 168.88 acres for the runway expansion is currently in progress. The airport aims for a 41.2 percent increase in passenger traffic, with the planned upgrades set to enhance its capacity to accommodate the rising number of travelers and air traffic.
Expanding flight options is also a key focus, with proposals for an additional morning flight between Jharsuguda and New Delhi, as well as direct connections to Chennai, Jaipur, and Visakhapatnam in the first phase.
The new services are intended to provide more travel choices for western Odisha passengers and lessen their reliance on connecting flights via other cities.
Enhancing passenger amenities is also a significant priority, with suggestions for installing an ATM, along with a restaurant and food stalls at the airport. Furthermore, a dedicated tourism information center has been proposed to promote tourist destinations, heritage sites, and other attractions throughout western Odisha.
The committee emphasized the necessity of having a dedicated ambulance available at the airport to improve emergency medical services.
Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy and officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) also participated in the meeting held earlier this week.
