Puri, Odisha – June 2025:
The proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport (SJIA) in Puri has made significant progress as the Odisha government has submitted key environmental reports to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The bird and wetland assessment reports, recently filed, fulfill a vital requirement set by the Expert Appraisal Committee, bringing the ₹5,631-crore project closer to final statutory clearance.
Following months of delay, this development marks a revival of the much-awaited airport project, which is set to greatly enhance tourism and improve connectivity in the holy town of Puri. According to officials, the reports confirm that 63 bird species were recorded in the area, none of which are endangered. This finding supports the project’s compliance with environmental norms, especially in terms of wildlife protection and ecosystem balance.
Spread across 1,164 acres along National Highway-316, the SJIA will be developed in multiple phases. In the initial phase, the airport is expected to serve 3.71 million passengers annually, with capacity projected to increase to 14.6 million by 2043–45. However, the clearance for the diversion of forest land, which involves felling over 13,500 non-endangered trees in a non-protected zone, is still pending. Final construction timelines will be announced once all approvals are secured.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation granted in-principle approval for the airport project in May 2025. Once operational, SJIA is poised to transform Puri into a major air travel hub, providing easier access for millions of pilgrims visiting the Shree Jagannath Temple, especially during the annual Rath Yatra.
Apart from religious tourism, the airport is expected to catalyze economic growth in the region, generate employment, and improve infrastructure around Puri. State authorities remain optimistic about receiving the final green signal soon and are preparing for the next steps in project execution.
With this key milestone achieved, the dream of establishing an international airport in Odisha’s spiritual hub is now one step closer to realization.
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