Puri Airport advances with environmental submissions from Odisha govt; statutory clearances awaited

The proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport (SJIA) at Sipasarubali in Puri has cleared another critical hurdle with the Odisha government submitting additional documentation to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

According to The New Indian Express, the additional details include the bird and wetland study reports requested by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), as the project now awaits statutory environmental clearances for further execution.

Planned to be developed in phases, the proposed airport is expected to initially handle 3.71 million passengers per annum (MPPA) and scale up to 14.6 MPPA by 2043–45, with around 100 flights per day projected in Phase 1.

The site, located along NH-316 between Bhubaneswar and Puri, is being developed under the Odisha government’s Commerce and Transport Department.

Moderate Forest Zone, Tree Loss, and Environmental Measures

The Odisha government has sought forest clearance for land characterised as tropical dry deciduous forest. The area, which is dominated by casuarina, cashew, and acacia plantations from the 1970s and 1980s, has a crown density of 0.4 to 0.5 and falls under eco-value Class-III. As part of land preparation, 13,504 trees across 1,291 species will be felled.

While concerns over biodiversity remain, a bird survey conducted between January and April identified 63 species across 39 families, none of which are endangered. The region also does not fall under any significant avian or wildlife habitat, according to the submitted environmental study.

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May Approval Sets Stage for Development Push

The recent developments follow the in-principle approval granted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in May, marking a significant step toward transforming Puri into an air-linked religious and cultural tourism destination.

The Odisha government has already earmarked 1,164 acres for the airport’s development, which is estimated to cost Rs 5,631 crore over three phases. The construction timeline and opening date remain unannounced, but the project is considered crucial for Odisha’s long-term infrastructure and tourism vision.