The Joint Action Committee, Ganjam, working for fulfilment of Ganjam's demand for establishment of an airport, has threatened to take to the streets on January 10 in protest against the lackadaisical attitude of both the State and Central Governments towards the longstanding demand.
The JAC took a decision in this regard at a meeting recently. Rangeilunda and Sitalpali have been named as sites for an airport many times by both the Governments. However, no action has been taken yet.
While Puri, Cuttack, Bhadrak are within 80 km of Bhubaneswar airport, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Bargarh are near to Jharsuguda airport. Brahmapur having large stretches of unavailable flight-service surrounding is 170 km from Bhubaneswar airport. Thus, both the Centre and the State should consider the proposal of establishing an airport in Ganjam district on a priority basis, said the JAC members. "What is ironic is that two MPs and 13 MLAs have remained silent.
We have decided to organise a massive demonstration on January 10 to press for our demand," said JAC convenor Rajendra Kumar Panda.
Among others, Senior Citizen Forum's Trinath Moharana, lawyer Dr Shiva Prasad Mishra, Manav Adhikar Surakshya Manch convenor Abani Gaya, Bharatiya Bikash Parishad president Surendra Panigrahi, social activists Kishore Chandra Patro and Surendra Moharana, lawyers Manas Patro, Gurucharan Patro and Gourishankar Mohanty were present.
