Civil Aviation / Advocate Anup Kumar Patro approaches Cabinet Secretary over alleged delay in Jeypore air services upgrade
·2 hours ago·5 min read
Key Points
Koraput-based advocate and human rights activist Anup Kumar Patro has approached the Union Cabinet Secretary, alleging prolonged administrative inaction by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on a directive issued by the President's Secretariat on October 13, 2025, concerning the upgradation of air services to Jeypore Airport, and has sought the Cabinet Secretary's intervention to secure an explanation from the ministry.
Jeypore, Nov 12: Koraput-based advocate and human rights activist Anup Kumar Patro has approached the Union Cabinet Secretary, alleging prolonged administrative inaction by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on a directive issued by the President's Secretariat on October 13, 2025, concerning the upgradation of air services to Jeypore Airport.
In a formal representation dated November 12, 2026, Patro alleged that despite the President's Secretariat forwarding his original appeal to the Civil Aviation Ministry for appropriate action, no substantive action, policy intervention or reasoned response had been communicated to him.
He has sought the Cabinet Secretary's intervention to secure an explanation from the ministry and expedite the introduction of aircraft with at least 18-19 seats on the Bhubaneswar-Jeypore-Visakhapatnam route, replacing the existing nine-seater service operated by IndiaOne Air.
Seeks action taken report from Civil Aviation Ministry
Referring to his original petition submitted to the President on October 8, 2025, Patro stated that the President's Secretariat had forwarded the matter to the Ministry of Civil Aviation through a communication dated October 13, 2025.
He also referred to subsequent representations addressed to the Civil Aviation Ministry and its Public Grievance Officer, including a follow-up dated June 9, 2026.
In a formal representation dated November 12, 2026, Patro alleged that despite the President's Secretariat forwarding his original appeal to the Civil Aviation Ministry for appropriate action, no substantive action, policy intervention or reasoned response had been communicated to him.
He has sought the Cabinet Secretary's intervention to secure an explanation from the ministry and expedite the introduction of aircraft with at least 18-19 seats on the Bhubaneswar-Jeypore-Visakhapatnam route, replacing the existing nine-seater service operated by IndiaOne Air.
Seeks action taken report from Civil Aviation Ministry
Referring to his original petition submitted to the President on October 8, 2025, Patro stated that the President's Secretariat had forwarded the matter to the Ministry of Civil Aviation through a communication dated October 13, 2025.
He also referred to subsequent representations addressed to the Civil Aviation Ministry and its Public Grievance Officer, including a follow-up dated June 9, 2026.
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Alleging that the matter had remained unresolved despite these communications, Patro has requested the Cabinet Secretary to call for an immediate Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Civil Aviation Secretary, explaining the delay in acting on the President's Secretariat communication.
He has also urged the Cabinet Secretary to direct the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to upgrade flight services to Jeypore Airport under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), introducing aircraft with a capacity of at least 18-19 passengers.
The representation further seeks expansion of air connectivity along the Bhubaneswar-Jeypore-Visakhapatnam-Hyderabad corridor to address public, medical, educational and socio-economic requirements.
Patro has requested time-bound compliance and communication of the action taken to him in the interest of transparency and public accountability.
Cites historical 18-seater 'Vayudoot' service
Explaining the need for larger aircraft, Patro cited the historical operation of 18-seater Vayudoot aircraft connecting Jeypore with Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar during 1980-81.
He pointed out that Jeypore was upgraded to a licensed airport in 2022 under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), but the present service operates with only a nine-seater aircraft.
He has also urged the Cabinet Secretary to direct the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to upgrade flight services to Jeypore Airport under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), introducing aircraft with a capacity of at least 18-19 passengers.
The representation further seeks expansion of air connectivity along the Bhubaneswar-Jeypore-Visakhapatnam-Hyderabad corridor to address public, medical, educational and socio-economic requirements.
Patro has requested time-bound compliance and communication of the action taken to him in the interest of transparency and public accountability.
Cites historical 18-seater 'Vayudoot' service
Explaining the need for larger aircraft, Patro cited the historical operation of 18-seater Vayudoot aircraft connecting Jeypore with Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar during 1980-81.
He pointed out that Jeypore was upgraded to a licensed airport in 2022 under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), but the present service operates with only a nine-seater aircraft.
According to his representation, the existing capacity on the Bhubaneswar-Jeypore-Visakhapatnam sector remains heavily booked throughout the year, making air travel difficult for people requiring urgent medical assistance, students and other passengers.
He argued that the UDAN framework accommodates regional aircraft with capacities of up to 40 seats and that introducing an 18- or 19-seater aircraft would address the capacity shortage.
Also Read: Jayapur Airport expansion cleared for takeoff as public hearing sparks hope
Highlights connectivity challenges in undivided Koraput
Patro has also highlighted the geographical and socio-economic challenges faced by residents of the undivided Koraput region, comprising present-day Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Nabarangpur districts.
In his representation, he described the region as a Fifth Schedule area with difficult terrain and longstanding infrastructure-related isolation. He claimed that approximately 60 per cent of its population belongs to Scheduled Castes and tribal communities, including Bonda, Bhil, Gond, Didayi, Kandha, Saora, Gadaba, Paraja, Durua, Koya and Bhatra communities.
He further stated that nearly 30 per cent of the region's population is Telugu-speaking, with social and cultural links to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He also referred to the migration of students and young professionals to Hyderabad and Bengaluru for higher education and employment.
Invoking Article 21 of the Constitution, Patro argued that inadequate transport connectivity affects access to healthcare, mobility and a dignified life for residents of the region.
In his representation to the Cabinet Secretary, Patro has sought intervention to ensure that the President's Secretariat's October 13, 2025 communication is acted upon and that the proposed enhancement of Jeypore's air connectivity is taken up within a stipulated timeframe.
Jeypore airport expansion plans
Established in 1962, the Jeypore airstrip remained largely underutilised for decades before gaining renewed importance under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme in 2022.
With passenger demand and development aspirations rising, authorities are now planning to upgrade the facility from Category 2B to Category 3C.
As part of the proposal, the existing 1,200-metre runway will be extended to 2,700 metres, enabling the airport to handle larger aircraft such as the ATR-72 and support night-flight operations, an official said.
The expansion is expected to improve connectivity and boost trade, tourism, healthcare access and investment opportunities across Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts.
To facilitate the project, around 244.0228 acres of land will be acquired. During the public hearing, officials outlined compensation and rehabilitation measures designed to address concerns of affected landowners and residents.
Authorities said compensation rates have been determined on the basis of expert assessments and will be provided to eligible landowners.
Families losing homes due to the project will receive compensation and rehabilitation support, including provisions for land and housing where applicable.
He argued that the UDAN framework accommodates regional aircraft with capacities of up to 40 seats and that introducing an 18- or 19-seater aircraft would address the capacity shortage.
Also Read: Jayapur Airport expansion cleared for takeoff as public hearing sparks hope
Highlights connectivity challenges in undivided Koraput
Patro has also highlighted the geographical and socio-economic challenges faced by residents of the undivided Koraput region, comprising present-day Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Nabarangpur districts.
In his representation, he described the region as a Fifth Schedule area with difficult terrain and longstanding infrastructure-related isolation. He claimed that approximately 60 per cent of its population belongs to Scheduled Castes and tribal communities, including Bonda, Bhil, Gond, Didayi, Kandha, Saora, Gadaba, Paraja, Durua, Koya and Bhatra communities.
He further stated that nearly 30 per cent of the region's population is Telugu-speaking, with social and cultural links to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He also referred to the migration of students and young professionals to Hyderabad and Bengaluru for higher education and employment.
Invoking Article 21 of the Constitution, Patro argued that inadequate transport connectivity affects access to healthcare, mobility and a dignified life for residents of the region.
In his representation to the Cabinet Secretary, Patro has sought intervention to ensure that the President's Secretariat's October 13, 2025 communication is acted upon and that the proposed enhancement of Jeypore's air connectivity is taken up within a stipulated timeframe.
Jeypore airport expansion plans
Established in 1962, the Jeypore airstrip remained largely underutilised for decades before gaining renewed importance under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme in 2022.
With passenger demand and development aspirations rising, authorities are now planning to upgrade the facility from Category 2B to Category 3C.
As part of the proposal, the existing 1,200-metre runway will be extended to 2,700 metres, enabling the airport to handle larger aircraft such as the ATR-72 and support night-flight operations, an official said.
The expansion is expected to improve connectivity and boost trade, tourism, healthcare access and investment opportunities across Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts.
To facilitate the project, around 244.0228 acres of land will be acquired. During the public hearing, officials outlined compensation and rehabilitation measures designed to address concerns of affected landowners and residents.
Authorities said compensation rates have been determined on the basis of expert assessments and will be provided to eligible landowners.
Families losing homes due to the project will receive compensation and rehabilitation support, including provisions for land and housing where applicable.
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