Bhubaneswar, June 29: Jharsuguda airport will become operational in two years.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the state government are executing the Rs 175-crore project.

Since Jharsuguda is fast emerging as an industrial hub, the airport will have facilities to handle wide-bodied aircraft such as Airbus A-321 and Boeing 767, used by domestic carriers. The airport will cater to areas such as Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Angul districts. At present, only small aircrafts are able to use the airport.

Odisha has one full-fledged airport, 16 airstrips and 12 helipads. The AAI has already initiated the first phase of its plan for developing Jharsuguda. An air traffic control (ATC) tower will come up here shortly.

Biju Patnaik airport director Sharad Kumar said a 5,500sqmt new terminal building, ATC tower, fire station, two parking bays, taxi ways and extension of runway length from 6,500ft to 7,845ft are the project’s highlights.

Other constructions such as a boundary wall, grading of the current airstrip, conveyor belt for luggage capabilities, parking for 150 cars and five buses will also be taken up.

The AAI and the state government are also interested to develop the Jeypore airstrip in southern Odisha.

Travel consultant Debasish Mohapatra said with Jharsuguda becoming an airport and Jeypore a functional airstrip, air connectivity will open up more avenues for domestic and international travellers. International operations from Biju Patnaik airport are likely to start by the end of July.