Jagannath International Airport Cleared for Takeoff

The proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri has made significant progress, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu informed the Rajya Sabha.

The project received ‘in-principle’ approval from the Ministry of Civil Aviation on May 6, and the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) recommended environmental clearance on June 5. Planned under the Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008, the first phase is designed to handle 4.6 million passengers annually, aiming to establish Puri as a key aviation hub in eastern India.

The Government of Odisha, acting as the project proponent, will manage land acquisition, rehabilitation, environmental clearances, and project funding. A no-objection certificate from the Ministry of Defence has already been secured. Minister Naidu noted that the project’s timeline will depend on the completion of land acquisition, obtaining mandatory approvals, and achieving financial closure.

Strategically located near the Jagannath Temple, the airport is expected to boost religious and international tourism, generate employment, and contribute to economic development through increased tax and stamp duty revenues, as well as land value appreciation.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.