The project is expected to be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with the private partner responsible for operating and maintaining the facility
As Odisha’s aviation sector continues to grow at a brisk pace, the state government has initiated plans to establish an advanced Aviation Security Training Institute (ASTI) to support the increasing security demands at airports and airstrips across the region.
According to officials, the state’s Directorate of Civil Aviation is redeveloping the former Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI) premises at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar to house the new facility. The refurbishment is being carried out in line with the guidelines and approvals of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the regulatory body overseeing civil aviation security in India.
Given that full-scale development of ASTI will require time, the government has identified an interim site in Mancheswar, Bhubaneswar, where the institute will temporarily operate until the primary facility is ready.
“The state now has multiple airports and airstrips, with plans underway for an international airport in Puri and new airstrips in Sambalpur, Nuapada, and other districts,” a BPIA official familiar with the development told The Guardian. “The new training institute will be instrumental in supporting this expansion, while also providing opportunities for aspiring aviation professionals.”
The project is expected to be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with the private partner responsible for operating and maintaining the facility, as well as conducting various training programmes. According to officials, the institute will offer BCAS-authorised professional aviation security courses at affordable rates, with a focus on skilling local youth for employment in the aviation sector.
Longer-term plans include positioning ASTI as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for aviation security training, catering not only to the needs of Odisha but also to the broader demand for trained personnel across the country.
The move is part of the state’s broader strategy to build aviation infrastructure while creating employment and enhancing safety standards in line with national aviation policies.