Puri Airport Will get Stage-I Forest Clearance, Increase to Jagannath Dham Connectivity
3 min learnBhubaneswarUp to date: Apr 4, 2026 08:22 PM IST
The proposed Shree Jagannath Worldwide Airport at Puri has obtained Stage-I (in-principle) forest clearance from the Centre — a transfer set to spice up connectivity to the pilgrim city in Odisha.
In a letter to the Odisha authorities on April 1, the Union Ministry of Setting, Forest and Local weather Change allowed diversion of 27.886 hectares of forest land for the venture, whereas setting situations for remaining (Stage-II) approval.
The Stage-I nod for the greenfield airport follows a suggestion by the advisory committee, which examined the state’s 2023 proposal on February 27.
“Although the Stage I forest clearance is a conditional approval for diverting forest land for non-forestry initiatives, it’s a serious go forward for the venture. The Centre has set sure situations like compensatory afforestation, fee for forest land diversion, safety of wildlife and ecosystem. We are going to fulfil all of the situations and apply for remaining approval,” an Odisha authorities officer mentioned.
Officers mentioned building can start solely after remaining approval from the Centre.
Earlier, on June 26 final 12 months, the setting ministry’s knowledgeable appraisal committee (EAC) for infrastructure really helpful environmental clearance for the airport, whereas asking the state to hunt feedback from its coastal regulation zone (CRZ) division as a part of the location falls beneath CRZ.
The EAC additionally requested the state to evaluate the influence on migratory birds that flock to Chilika lake close by each winter, and submit mitigation plans for Olive Ridley turtles that nest alongside Odisha’s coast and Irrawaddy dolphins discovered close to Satapada.
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The airport was proposed by former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik to place Puri — dwelling to Lord Jagannath and one in every of Hinduism’s 4 Dhams — as a hub of worldwide tourism and financial exercise.
In a January 2021 letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Patnaik mentioned the venture would assist carry devotees from the world over to Puri and promote Jagannath tradition globally, noting that the annual Rath Yatra attracts tens of millions to the temple city.
Website clearance for the greenfield venture was granted in September 2023. Whereas Bhubaneswar, about 60 km away, already has a world airport, officers mentioned the proposed facility in Puri is predicted to deal with over 4 million passengers yearly.
The Union civil aviation ministry granted in-principle approval on Could 5, 2025, based mostly on the state’s proposal submitted by means of its commerce and transport division. The venture, estimated at Rs 5,631 crore, will span 471.34 hectares, together with 27.886 hectares of forest land.
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