BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Saturday submitted the details of operational airstrips under it to the Centre to boost regional air connectivity.In a letter sent to the joint secretary, ministry of civil aviation, the state government has proposed six destinations to be connected by air with the state capital. The destinations are Rourkela, Jeypore, Sambalpur, Tusura (Balangir district), Utkela (Kalahandi district) and Rangeilunda (Ganjam district). All these places have state-owned airstrips.The letter says the runway of Rangeilunda airstrip needs to be expanded as it is currently 3442 ft long. The government has requested the Centre to operate an ATR-42 Turboprop aircraft, the letter said.The state government has also urged the Centre to use different slabs of air fare to promote regional connectivity. However, many existing airstrips don't have boundary walls making them vulnerable in terms of safety of runway.

Source: Times of India September 05, 2016 14:55 UTC