Mamata reaches Odisha, to meet CM Naveen Patnaik
She was received in Odisha by state minister Tusharkanti Behera
The iconic Dakota DC-3 aircraft, used by former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik to rescue former Indonesian Vice-President Muhammad Hatta and Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir from their enemies in 1947, would reach Odisha by road from Kolkata on 16 January.
It is pertinent to note here that Patnaik’s acumen as a pilot was recognised by the government of Indonesia, which honoured him with the title of ‘Bhumi Putra’.
The vintage aircraft will be positioned at a designated place at the international airport here named after Biju Patnaik, the father of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, said airport officials here.
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Before plunging into active politics, Biju Patnaik had set up Kalinga Airlines which operated from Calcutta. He was also a member of the Royal Indian Air Force under British Rule.
The heritage Dakota aircraft used by Patnaik, a skilled pilot, had been lying in a dilapidated condition for decades at the airport in Kolkata.
According to the officials, the aircraft, which is 64 feet and 8 inches long, with its wings stretching to 95 feet, will be dismantled for transportation by road to Bhubaneswar from the Kolkata airport.
A technical team has begun dismantling the aircraft at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport in Kolkata on Wednesday and it will be transported to Odisha by road on 14 January.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has leased out 1.1 acre of land for setting up a memorial, where the aircraft will be put up for display.
After the aircraft is brought to Bhubaneswar, a technical team will restore, reassemble and do the renovation work at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here.
The Odisha government had decided to preserve the iconic aircraft for posterity so that people can visualize the daredevilry of the legendary leader. Late Patnaik is fondly called ‘Biju Babu’ and even 26 years after his death; he continues to occupy the imagination of the people.
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