The distance between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack is around 20 km.
Patnaik's chopper landed inside the 'protected zone' of Barabati fort here, which too was denounced.
Flying helicopter over a protected monument like Barabati Fort is violation of provisions of the Ancient Monument Preservation Act of 1904 and also under the Orissa Ancient Monument Preservation Act of 1956, said environmentalist Biswajit Mohanty.
It is believed that Patnaik took the aerial route in the wake of attack on him by some people who threw eggs at him.
He also inaugurated three other facilities for students at an engineering school and a university here on the day. He also inaugurated a bridge over Mahanadi river in neighbouring Banki sub-division.