Bhubaneswar, Dec. 29: A terminal for domestic flights will be constructed at Biju Patnaik Airport at an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore.

Airport Authority of India (AAI) chairman V.P. Agarwal informed this at a meeting with chief minister Naveen Patnaik last evening. Matters related to development of Biju Patnaik Airport as per international standards and development of existing airstrips were discussed at the meeting. “Construction work for the new terminal will start soon,” Agarwal said, adding that Rs 150 crore would be spent.

Naveen has assured necessary support to the project, official sources said.

Saying that the AAI had already initiated steps to develop the Jharsuguda airport to facilitate landing of domestic flights in response to the state government’s demand, Agarwal has asked for 800 acres of land. The airport has a 6,000ft runway, which is enough for landing of domestic flights, said Agarwal.

Assuring all infrastructural support for development of Jharsuguda airport, Naveen said full utilisation of the airport would help expedite industrial activities in the region.

The chief minister also suggested that the AAI take up development of airstrips at Rasgobindpur in Mayurbhanj district and another at Jeypore in Koraput district, which will improve air connectivity to North and South Orissa.