Bhubaneswar, Aug. 25 -- The Opposition BJD on Tuesday strongly opposed the proposed move by the BJP government to lease out Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar to a private entity, terming the proposed privatisation an "attack on Odia Asmita" and warning of an agitation if the decision is not withdrawn.
Addressing a press conference here, senior BJD general secretary Dr Lekhashree Samantasinghar alleged that the government had approved handing over the airport to a private entity under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
She said the airport, named after legendary leader Biju Patnaik, was among the country's major and profitable airports, generating more than Rs 200 crore in annual profit and handling around 50 lakh ...