Biju Patnaik’s DAKOTA (DC-3) VT-AUI Aircraft is set To Arrive In Odisha Capital Today
The legendary DAKOTA (DC-3) VT-AUI aircraft, flown by the late Biju Patnaik and once flew to rescue Indonesian leaders, entered the Odisha border on Wednesday.
According to sources, the aircraft has been dismantled into three parts in Kolkata and is on its way to Bhubaneswar in three containers via the National Highway. The three trawlers crossed the Laxmannath toll plaza in Jaleswar early this morning and are scheduled to reach the capital city by evening.
A four-person crew has been assigned to disassemble the Dakota (DC-3) VT-AUI aircraft, which is around 64 feet 8 inches long with wings that extend to 95 feet, according to representatives of Odisha’s trade and transport department.
A special team of experts will inspect the aircraft after its arrival at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA). The process of assembling it by a team of engineers may take nearly a month, said sources.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has already allotted 1.1 acres of land to the State government where the Dakota plane will be displayed for public viewing.
Parts of the aircraft weighing over 8 tonne will be brought to the capital on two open trucks for which Transport and Commerce department has roped in Odisha police and asked it to coordinate with their West Bengal counterpart to ensure its safe passage.
A daredevil pilot, Biju Patnaik had formed Kalinga Airlines which had 15 Dakota planes at its headquarters at Kolkata. The aircrafts were used by the Army for transporting jawans deployed in Kashmir and dropping supplies in north-eastern regions of the country.
He had used the DC-3 aircraft to rescue former Indonesian Vice President Muhammad Hatta and Prime Minister Sutan Sjahrir from their enemies in July 1947. Though the state government initiated efforts to shift the 20-metre long aircraft to Odisha in 2020, the process was delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic.
