Odisha’s flagship B-MAAN initiative to provide pilot training to tribal girls: CM Majhi

Bhubaneswar, Aug 25 (UNI) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today announced the state government’s flagship initiative B-MAAN (Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network), a cadet pilot programme, will provide pilot training to tribal girls to become trained pilots.

Speaking at the Eastern Civil Aviation Ministers’ Conference here, Majhi said that special training would be provided to Odia tribal girls, while a world-class flight training centre will be established at Birasola in Dhenkanal district.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister informed that the state government signed an agreement with Air Works, the country’s leading aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) service provider.
As per the MoU, a modern MRO facility will be set up at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar.

The collaboration will also focus on skill development, training, and job opportunities for the youth of Odisha.
Majhi further stated that a world-class international airport is being built in Puri, which will serve as a spiritual and cultural gateway for millions of Jagannath devotees worldwide. In addition, land has been allotted for the expansion of Jharsuguda airport.

Highlighting the government’s progress, Majhi said that in the last 14 months, Odisha’s airports have been connected to 15 new destinations.

He emphasized that the government is determined to make Odisha a leading hub in the aviation sector, with a state-of-the-art aviation training centre also coming up at Birasola.

In Bhubaneswar, a State-of-the-Art Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre is being established. The government is also introducing a Progressive Land Allotment Policy for the state’s airports, enabling flying training, UAV training, and aviation sports activities.

Majhi announced that all unused airstrips in the state are being developed into airports. A total of 14 such airports will be revived, while 15 heliports are planned in districts without airports.

The Chief Minister also noted that transformative initiatives like the UDAN scheme have truly democratized aviation and opened new horizons for Eastern India.