Centre Grants Key Approvals for Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri

Bhubaneswar: The proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri has cleared several major hurdles, with multiple approvals granted by the Central Government, according to Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu.

Replying to a query raised by BJD Rajya Sabha MP Subhasish Khuntia, Naidu informed the Rajya Sabha that the Ministry of Civil Aviation had granted in-principle approval to the greenfield airport project on May 6, 2025. Additionally, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) recommended environmental clearance for the project on June 5.

Naidu stated that the Odisha state government holds responsibility for land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement, as well as obtaining all mandatory environmental clearances.

The first phase of the airport is designed to handle 4.6 million passengers annually. The project received site clearance in September 2023, and the Ministry of Defence has also issued a no-objection certificate for the development.

Highlighting its importance, the Union Minister said the proposed airport is expected to boost tourism, generate employment, and support regional development. Once completed, it will become Odisha’s second international airport, after Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar.