Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra on Tuesday pressed Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu to fast-track the development and upgradation of Rangeilunda airstrip in Odisha’s Ganjam district into a fully operational commercial airport.
During a meeting at the Naidu’s office, Patra handed over a proposal requesting that the developed facility be officially named ‘Brahmapur Airport.’
In a detailed representation, Patra underscored that establishing Brahmapur Airport has been a long-awaited dream for residents of southern Odisha, calling it essential for fostering balanced regional growth, boosting the economy, and bridging connectivity gaps.
He pointed out that despite its strategic, educational, and economic value, southern Odisha—which includes the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Koraput, Rayagada, and Malkangiri—remains starkly overlooked when it comes to aviation infrastructure.
As the primary economic and educational nerve hub of the southern Odisha, Brahmapur caters to a massive population across these southern districts as well as adjacent areas of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Patra noted.
The representation also highlighted Patra’s own long-term commitment to the cause, tracking his frequent appeals in parliament and ongoing public advocacy over the past several years.
“A full-ledged Brahmapur airport would provide transformative benefits to southern Odisha. It would significantly strengthen regional connectivity, tourism, trade, exports, industrial growth and MSME development. It would improve access to healthcare and emergency medical evacuation, while also enhancing disaster preparedness and response capacity in a region frequently affected by cyclones and natural disasters,” Patra said in his letter.
[Dr. Sasmit Patra Urges Union Government to Expedite Development of “Brahmapur Airport” at Rangeilunda in Southern Odisha]
Today, met with the Hon'ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu Ji, to urge the expedited development of “Brahmapur Airport” at… pic.twitter.com/ZcyeGTL2CX
— ଡ଼ଃ ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର I Dr. Sasmit Patra (@sasmitpatra) May 19, 2026
“The project would further contribute towards balanced regional development in alignment with the Government of India’s vision for inclusive infrastructure expansion under the UDAN framework,” he said.
Seeking his immediate action, Patra called for upgradation of Rangeilunda into a regional commercial airport, initiation of joint feasibility and technical assessment with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Odisha government, the construction of modern terminal and runway systems, and the official naming of the site as “Brahmapur Airport.”
Patra voiced optimism that under Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu’s leadership, the deeply felt demands of southern Odisha’s population would be given swift and favourable attention.
