cuttack (Odisha): In a prominent show of solidarity, intellectuals and civic leaders from all over Cartertuck gathered to express a collective concern about their continued indifference to urban development. The congregation recently organized under banners of the revived Katak and Subash Sangathan, seeing the participation of professors, doctors, engineers, advocates, social activists, and heads of the city’s Puja committee, crossing political and social boundaries.
The conference was chaired by Dr. Pravat Kumar Mishra, a well-known educator and social activist, and the speaker since the conference expressed deep pain from the spokesperson’s neglect for the city, as the capital was moved to Bhubaneswar. Participants cite multiple instances, including the systematic relocation of government offices from Cuttack, exclusion of smart city plans, and the priority expansion of Bhubaneswar at Cuttack fees, although both cities belong to the Bhubaneswar-Cutttack urban complex.
One of the most pressing questions raised is the delay in converting Charbatia’s Airborne Reconnaissance Center (ARC) into an international hub airport. The spokesman believes that Charbatia has more than 2,400 acres of existing infrastructure, close to the capital’s infrastructure, and good connectivity with industrial and commercial hubs, providing a strategic and economically viable option for Brownfield International Airport on the East Coast.
The meeting noted that field experts have been ensuring the potential of Charbatia, highlighting its advantages in multimodal connectivity, cargo operations, and aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities. The proposal has stalled despite repeated statements to state and central authorities and assurances made on the floor of Lok Sabha.
Senior citizens lament that while other arc bases such as Palam and Sarsawa have been converted to civil aviation use, Odisha is still overlooking the prospects for Charbatia, even alternative locations in Khurda, Malipada and Puri face environmental and security challenges.
The party also has to do with Cuttack not attracting parks, Central University, large-scale industrial projects, and even the lack of airports in the event that its famous Barabati Stadium hosts international cricket matches, and with Cuttack not attracting parks, Central University, large-scale industrial projects.
The meeting announced the establishment of the Greater Katak Movement Action Committee in a unanimous resolution, with Dr. Pravat Kumar Mishra as chairman and city intellectuals as members. The committee will soon meet with the Chief Minister to submit a detailed memorandum and urge immediate action on the Charbatia airport proposal and other development issues.
Convener Manoj Kumar Pati and co-convener Suresh Mohanty announced that the movement would intensify if demand has not been resolved. The event was chaired by Manoj Kumar Pati and litigated by Gyana Das and Suresh Mohanty.
Outstanding figures participating in the program include Dr. Satyakam Mishra, Dr. Anil Dhir, Dr. Pravas Acharya, Dr. Rajani Ballav Dash, Deepak Samantray, Dr. Ananga Dwibedy and Dr. Ajay Mishra.
