Rourkela Airport in Odisha is on track for a significant upgrade, thanks to a joint effort by the state and central governments. Odisha’s Chief Minister, Mohan Majhi, recently visited the city and emphasized the importance of the airport, highlighting plans to enhance its infrastructure.
One of the key goals is to secure a 4C licence, which would allow flights to land safely at night. This improvement is expected to boost connectivity and create new economic opportunities. To make this happen, the Odisha government has submitted a proposal to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
In a letter to AAI Chairman Vipin Kumar, Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Commerce and Transport Department, outlined the government’s vision. The plan includes upgrading Rourkela Airport—currently managed by SAIL—to support 4C CAT 1 IFR operations, considering the city’s rapid growth.
The proposal also calls for a master plan and an Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) survey to guide expansion efforts. As part of the upgrade, the runway will be extended to 2,700 meters in length and 45 meters in width. Additionally, advanced navigation systems like Doppler Very High-Frequency Omni Range (DVOR) and CAT 1 Instrument Landing System (ILS) will be installed. These enhancements will allow larger aircraft, such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, to operate both during the day and at night.
Meanwhile, former Rourkela MLA Dilip Ray has announced plans to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the airport’s expansion and broader infrastructure issues.
“I will be taking up all key aspects of the airport’s expansion with the Prime Minister,” Ray confirmed.
Adding to the momentum, local MLA from Raghunathpali, Durga Tanti, has assured continued discussions with the state government to speed up the project.
“I am in constant touch with the authorities to ensure these upgrades happen as soon as possible,” Tanti said.
With growing political and administrative backing, Rourkela Airport is poised for a major transformation, promising better connectivity and new economic opportunities for the region.
