Bhubaneswar, Aug 25: In a landmark move to promote inclusivity and skill development in aviation sector, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced the launch of a cadet pilot programme aimed at training tribal girls to become professional pilots.

The Chief Minister announced this during the Eastern Region Ministers' Conference for Civil Aviation held in Bhubaneswar.

The programme will be rolled out under the state’s flagship initiative B-MAAN (Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network), which seeks to transform Odisha into a regional aviation hub. According to officials, the scheme will offer free theoretical and practical pilot training to 10 to 15 tribal girls annually for five years, empowering them to break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.

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“This initiative is not just about aviation—it’s about connecting dreams to opportunities,” said CM Majhi, emphasizing the government’s commitment to democratizing access to high-skill professions and uplifting marginalized communities.

The cadet pilot programme is part of a broader aviation roadmap that includes the development of a world-class international airport in Puri, expansion of Jharsuguda airport, and the establishment of an aviation training centre in Birasal, Dhenkanal district. The state also plans to revive 14 non-functional airstrips and build 15 heliports in districts lacking airport infrastructure.

Majhi also highlighted Odisha’s recent success in expanding air connectivity, with 15 new destinations added in the past 14 months. The government has signed agreements with Air Works to set up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Biju Patnaik International Airport and to create training and job opportunities for youth in the aviation sector.