Biju Patnaik’s Iconic Dakota Aircraft Arrives In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha CM Biju Patnaik’s celebrated Dakota DC-3 aircraft arrived in Bhubaneswar from Kolkata this evening.

The antique plane will be parked in a specific location at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar.

The Dakota, which is 64 feet and 8 inches long and has wings that can extend to 95 feet was kept at Kolkata’s Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport. However, when the administration decided to bring it to the state, a technical team dismantled it and it was transported by road in three trailer trucks to Bhubaneswar.

In 1947, the illustrious statesman employed Dakota to protect Muhammad Hatta, a former vice president of Indonesia, and PM Sutan Sjahrir from their adversaries. The Indonesian government recognised his skill as a pilot and bestowed upon him the title of “Bhumi Putra.”