Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The under-construction Malkangiri airport in the state’s southernmost district is set to be officially opened by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in January 2024, according to a Tuesday announcement made on X by Special Secretary to the CM Vineel Krishna. On a 94.5-hectare plot of land, the Malkangiri airport is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 33.03 crore.
Although December 2023 was the projected completion date for the construction, the state government expedited the project. The airport, according to the government, would hasten regional economic growth and commercial activity.
The state government will provide subsidies to the airlines operating from Malkangiri airport to make air tickets affordable for the passengers. Initially, flight services will be made available between Malkangiri and Bhubaneswar and later extended to Visakhapatnam.
