Biju Patnaik’s Iconic Dakota Plane To Be Brought To Odisha From Bengal
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has decided to donate 1.1 acres of land on the grounds of this airport to the Odisha government for the purpose of bringing the legendary Dakota aircraft of the late chief minister Biju Patnaik to the state from Kolkata.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to the idea, according to a senior official, despite efforts to transport the aircraft to Odisha being made during the previous two years and a tender being published for the venture.
“The administration is now all set to complete the process as the AAI, at its recent board meeting, accepted the state government’s proposal to lease out 1.1 acre of land for setting up a memorial, where the aircraft will be put up for display,” the home department official said.
The aircraft, which is 64 feet and 8 inches in length with wings that extend to 95 feet, would be disassembled and transported from the airport in Kolkata by road to Bhubaneswar, the official said. After any required repairs, the components will subsequently be put back together here, he said.
In addition to being a politician and social reformer, Biju Patnaik was a highly accomplished pilot who flew planes and took part in dangerous missions before the country gained its independence.
The AAI has given the memorial’s construction the “go-ahead,” according to Prasanna Pradhan, director of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), as a tribute to the legendary leader.
According to historian Anil Dhir, Patnaik loved Dakota aeroplanes.
Dhir added that the former CM had utilised this specific plane, which is currently parked at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, to save the vice president and prime minister of Indonesia at the time, Sutan Sjahrir, in April 1947, when that nation was in upheaval.
For the achievement, a grateful Indonesia twice awarded Biju Patnaik with the highest civilian honour, the “Bhumiputra.”
Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright
