ROURKELA: Upgradation and restoration of commercial flight services at the Rourkela airport in view of the Men’s Hockey World Cup next year do not seem a reality before October this year. The tournament is scheduled for January 2023.
Sources familiar with the project said the revised target for operationalising the airport is October this year. Considering the monsoons ahead, only three months are left in hand. In June 2021, work had begun for a new apron and taxiway at a cost of Rs 5.69 crore. But even after nine months, little progress could be seen on the ground. While tenders for new terminal building and carpeting of runway have not yet been awarded, nothing has been done for widening of the connecting road or construction of the new perimeter walls with increased height.
