Bhubaneswar, 28th Aug 2025: At the Eastern Region Civil Aviation Ministers’ Conference held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that under the state government’s major initiative, a Cadet Pilot Program will soon be launched. Under this scheme, tribal girls will receive training to become pilots. On this occasion, the state government signed an MoU with leading global aviation service providers for setting up a modern aviation training facility at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Bhubaneswar.
The CM said:
A world-class international airport is coming up in Puri, which will serve as a spiritual and cultural gateway for millions of Jagannath devotees worldwide.
Land has been arranged for the expansion of Jharsuguda Airport.
In the last 14 months of the new government, Odisha airports have been connected to 15 new destinations, strengthening the state’s integration into national and international aviation networks.
A world-class Aviation Training Centre will be set up at Birashol, Dhenkanal.
A Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility is also being planned at Bhubaneswar.
The CM further announced:
Odisha will develop unused airstrips (10 identified) into operational airports, leading to a total of 14 functional airports.
In districts without airports, 15 new heliports will be built.
Airports in Odisha will host flying training institutes, technical training, and aero-sports activities.
He added that these efforts are in line with the Union Government’s UDAN scheme, which has democratized aviation and opened a new horizon for eastern India. “This is not just about airports and airlines—it is about connecting people’s dreams with opportunities, empowering our economy, and realizing the vision of a Developed India by 2047,” the CM said.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, present at the event, reaffirmed:
The government is committed to fulfilling PM Narendra Modi’s vision of making air travel accessible even to the common man—“those who wear slippers will also be able to fly.”
He promised full cooperation from the Centre for strengthening Odisha’s aviation infrastructure.
Also present were:
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Muraleedhar Mohol,
Odisha Commerce & Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena,
Chhattisgarh Finance Minister Om Prakash Choudhary,
Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Sinha (who delivered the welcome speech), and
Odisha Chief Secretary, Commerce & Transport, Usha Padhee (who gave the vote of thanks).
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