CM proposes second airport to be named after Vir Surendra Sai

Bhubaneswar, Dec 11 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today proposed to name the Jharsugura Airport after Veer Surendra Sai, a prominent freedom fighter in Western Orissa.

Mr Patnaik had drawn the attention of Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel to the necessity of upgrading the Jharsugura airstrip into a full-fledged airport following coming up of several mineral-based industries in the area and to tap the vast natural resources.

The Chief Minister had discussed the issue with the Airport Authorities, which promised to set up the Jharsugura airstrip as the second airport in the State.

Mr Patnaik expressed anguish, stating that even one year after the proposal was submitted to the Airport Authorities no concrete steps had been initiated by the Civil Aviation Ministry so far.

UNI