Odisha’s economy takes flight: Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda to get direct flights to major cities

In a significant move to enhance connectivity and foster economic development in Odisha, several airlines have agreed to introduce new flight routes from Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda airports, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) announced on Friday.

Expanded Connectivity from Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda

The new routes will operate from Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar and Vir Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda, connecting key destinations across India.

The CMO, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated: “The communication system is being strengthened. The path of progress is widening. Direct flights will start from Bhubaneswar to Indore, Dehradun, Kochi, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Jharsuguda to Hyderabad, Raipur, Lucknow, and Mumbai. It will give a new direction to the economic development of the state.”

Impacts of the New Destination Policy

The recently approved New Destination Policy of Odisha played a crucial role in encouraging airlines to add these routes. This policy aims to incentivize airlines to expand their operations in the state, thereby improving regional connectivity and driving economic growth.

“These enhanced connections are set to significantly boost commerce and tourism across the state,” the CMO added.

Benefits to Commerce and Agriculture

The introduction of belly cargo services on these flights is expected to provide a major thrust to Odisha’s agricultural sector. Farmers and exporters will now have better access to national markets, enabling faster and more efficient transportation of produce.

Transforming Odisha’s Economy

The new flight routes are expected to:

• Improve accessibility to tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
• Attract more business investments to the state.
• Bolster tourism by connecting Odisha with major tourist destinations.

With these developments, Odisha is poised to strengthen its position as an emerging economic and tourism hub. The enhanced connectivity reflects the state government’s commitment to widening the path of progress and creating opportunities for growth across sectors.