A few blocks of the Indian Meteorological department staff quarters have come in the way of the upcoming road (below) that travels from Ekamra Square to Biju Patnaik Airport. Work on the stretch has stopped because of the residential quarters. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, July 18: The construction of a direct road from Ekamra Square to Biju Patnaik Airport may require the demolition of some of the staff quarters of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

The state government has decided to discuss the issue with the IMD authorities. Sources said seven blocks of the IMD staff quarters fell on the route that the road would take.The government has expressed its willingness to either construct new buildings for the staff within the airport boundary or provide alternative accommodations to them at a nearby government colony to expedite the airport project.

In 1995, the road was originally planned as per a government decision to provide an easier and beautiful approach to the airport from the Infocity area. However, though the land acquisition process started immediately, it could not be done properly. The project also received funding from the state government in 2002, but there was no work progress.

The road from Ekamra Square will reduce 1,170-metre distance of the airport from Capital Hospital. The 330-metre road starting from Ekamra Square through Bhimpur mouza connecting the airport will cost the state Rs 2.55 crore. It can also save time for the airport-bound commuters who would be able to avoid busy traffic.

Executive engineer of the roads and building division Ranjit Sahu said there were two components of the road. While one portion falls on the premises of the Airport Authority of India (AAI), the other comes under the general administration department. However, eight cases are pending in Orissa High Court for decision in the general administration department area. After eviction of five encroachments on January 5, the front-portion work had been started and 61 metres were laid. On the AAI land, seven blocks of the IMD staff quarters are falling on the road path.

“The state government has proposed a high-level technical team to survey the road alignment. As the IMD buildings are coming on the road they have to be demolished. Therefore, a decision was taken to discuss the issue with the IMD higher authorities and if the department wished to have the quarters inside the AAI boundary, the structures could be constructed by the state government in a suitable location,” said an AAI officer.

“To facilitate quick execution of the road work, the state government has also proposed to include the construction cost of the road coming within the airport area up to the terminal approach,” he said.

Earlier, the department had been working under the ministry of civil aviation, as the weather data was crucial for it. However, later the department was separated from the civil aviation ministry. But, the official buildings and staff quarters are still near the airport and in Bhubaneswar, the IMD buildings are inside the AAI area.

However, the present approach road to the airport will not cease to operate. As the city airport is a strategic location, there should be two roads, so that even if there is an emergency or one is partially closed due to the VVIP movement, the other can come to the rescue of the people,” said the officer.

On the other hand, the AAI authorities have assured the state government that work for the new terminal will be over by December and operations can start in February, next year.