Rourkela, July 15 (UDN): In a major boost to Odisha’s aviation infrastructure, Rourkela Airport is poised for a comprehensive expansion, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) set to take over its operations from the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). The long-awaited development is expected to transform the airport into a modern regional aviation hub, improving connectivity and supporting the city’s growing industrial and educational significance.
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The proposed expansion will facilitate the operation of larger commercial aircraft and include the installation of a night landing system, enabling round-the-clock flight operations. Enhanced infrastructure is also expected to improve reliability during adverse weather conditions and strengthen air connectivity for western Odisha.
The project, however, presents a significant rehabilitation challenge. Around 1,500 RSP residential quarters are likely to be affected by the expansion, requiring the relocation and rehabilitation of hundreds of families. Authorities have indicated that rehabilitation will remain a key priority as the project moves forward.
Rourkela Airport has witnessed limited commercial operations in recent years. While regular flights were introduced earlier, services remained inconsistent. During the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, the airport successfully handled daily operations of a 72-seater aircraft, but the service was later discontinued. Operational constraints, including the absence of a night landing facility and weather-related limitations, have contributed to the airport’s underutilisation.
The expansion is expected to benefit not only residents of Sundargarh district but also the region’s industrial sector and academic institutions, particularly the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, which attracts students from across India and abroad.
Union Minister Jual Oram said the airport expansion process is expected to begin shortly, adding that discussions are underway with the Central Government, the Odisha Government and RSP authorities to expedite the project. He expressed confidence that improved air connectivity would accelerate regional development, attract investment and provide greater convenience to the public.
Local MLA and District Planning Board Chairman Durga Charan Tanti also assured that adequate rehabilitation measures would be undertaken for families affected by the project, emphasizing that development and social responsibility must go hand in hand.
Residents have largely welcomed the airport expansion while urging the authorities to ensure fair rehabilitation. Abinash Pradhan, a resident of Rourkela, said the families residing in the affected quarters have spent decades contributing to the growth of the steel plant and have deep emotional ties to their homes. He stressed that rehabilitation should precede any displacement.
Another resident, Arabinda Das, described improved air connectivity as essential for the city’s future, noting that many families in Rourkela have children living and working outside the city. At the same time, he said the administration must address concerns regarding the relocation of affected residents in a transparent and humane manner.
With the transfer of airport operations to AAI and the proposed infrastructure upgrades, Rourkela is set to enter a new phase of aviation development. The project is expected to strengthen the city’s position as a key industrial, educational and economic centre in Odisha, while balancing the need for modern infrastructure with the welfare of local communities.