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The Odisha government has approved the "Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network" (B-MAAN) scheme with a total outlay of INR 14,182 crore to position the state as an aviation hub in eastern India. The plan focuses on airport infrastructure, regional air connectivity, maintenance-repair-overhaul (MRO) facilities, emerging aviation technologies such as drones, seaplanes and e-VTOL aircraft, air cargo logistics, and aviation-related skill development. The scheme adds to the state's recent aviation initiatives, including approved MRO facilities and new land allotment policies to expand airport infrastructure.
The Odisha government has approved the "Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network" (B-MAAN) scheme, allocating INR 14,182 crore for its implementation. The cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, cleared the proposal to give a structured boost to the state's aviation infrastructure and allied industries. The announcement was made by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja after the cabinet meeting. Advertisement
The new scheme aims to bring all aviation-related activities and assets under a single framework. It focuses on upgrading airport infrastructure, promoting regional connectivity through financial support to airlines, developing MRO facilities, and integrating new-age aviation technologies. The plan also highlights logistics, cargo development and capacity building in aviation skills as major priorities.
Under the infrastructure development component, Odisha will set up world-class MRO facilities at key airports, including Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar and other identified locations. The initiative is expected to reduce the state's dependency on maintenance facilities outside Odisha and attract long-term private sector participation.
For regional air connectivity, the government intends to offer incentives to airlines to enhance flight operations, especially linking smaller towns and regional centres with major urban hubs. The B-MAAN scheme will be implemented in coordination with central government programmes such as UDAN to improve intra-state and inter-state connectivity across eastern India.
The policy also focuses on emerging aviation technologies. The state plans to encourage innovation in drones, seaplanes, e-VTOL aircraft and aerospace manufacturing. Officials mentioned that the goal is to keep Odisha aligned with the transition towards sustainable and advanced air mobility, while building a base for green aviation solutions.
On the cargo and logistics side, the plan includes setting up dedicated air-cargo and logistics hubs to support exports of agricultural and industrial goods. The government believes this will help integrate Odisha more closely with national and global supply chains and promote time-efficient trade.
Another core area is skill and employment generation. The scheme includes aviation-focused training programmes for pilots, aircraft technicians, ground staff and logistics professionals. It also proposes specialised training initiatives to encourage women to take up careers in the aviation sector. The state will work with industry and training partners to build a skilled workforce for the sector.
The B-MAAN scheme follows a series of steps already taken by the Odisha government to strengthen the aviation ecosystem. Earlier this year, the state approved an MRO facility at Bhubaneswar backed by incentives worth over INR 80 crore. In addition, a new land-allotment policy was announced to convert non-operational airstrips into functional airports and to establish heliports in districts without aviation connectivity. These measures are intended to expand regional infrastructure and attract more private and institutional investments into aviation and logistics.
The scheme aligns with the broader objective of creating a comprehensive aviation network that supports tourism, trade, and industrial growth while contributing to job creation and balanced regional development.
Source PTI
5th Jun, 2025
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