Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday reiterated his request to the Centre to name the Jharsuguda airport after the legendary freedom-fighter Veer Surendra Sai.
In a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu, Patnaik stated, “The State Government has been requesting that the Jharsuguda Airport be named after Veer Surendra Sai, who hailed from the same place.”
“I would like to reiterate the request that Government of India may consider naming the Jharsugsda Airport as Veer Surendra Sai Airport, which would be a befitting tribute to the legendary son of the soil,” the CM stated.
Stating that Jharsuguda is located strategically in an industrial and mining belt of Odisha, Patnaik also requested Prabhu for introduction of commercial flights to Jharsuguda.
“Keeping in view the growing importance of this city in the western Odisha, I would request you to kindly consider introduction of commercial flights to Jharsuguda.
To begin with, one of the Air India flight from Bhubaneswar to Delhi may be routed through Jharsuguda,” he said.
“I am glad that the development of the Jharsuguda Airport has been completed and it will be formally inaugurated and dedicated to the nation on September 22.
I am also happy to know that UDAN flight would be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 22. I am thankful for your invitation to grace the occasion,” the CM added.
