Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra informed that Malkangiri district will soon be having an airport, by March 2024. The airport will come up on 95 acres of land identified on the outskirts of Malkangiri.
The Chief Secretary is on a two-day visit to Malkangiri during which he visited the proposed site, which has already been acquired. He said “We have set a target to begin flight operations to Malkangiri by March 2024. Forest land diversion clearance has been obtained and the works department will soon float a tender for construction of the airport.”
According to the reports, the projects relating to road communication, drinking water, agriculture, horticulture, social security schemes and promotion of agro-enterprises were reviewed during a meeting chaired by Mahapatra at Malkangiri today. The State government has prepared an elaborate plan for the Swabhiman Anchal, the erstwhile cut-off area, said Mahapatra, speaking to reports after the meeting.
He then added that the government has plans to ensure drinking water to all the towns in Malkangiri district on saturation mode. Balimela township has been fully covered with piped drinking water facilities and will be soon completed in Malkangiri district headquarters town soon.
Collector Vishal Singh, SP Nitesh Wadhwani, Project Director Balmukund Bhuyan along with district level officers of different departments presented data about the works being implemented by them.
