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The ambitious Shree Jagannath International Airport project in Puri faces significant procedural and ecological challenges, particularly around forest and coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearances.
The proposed greenfield airport, estimated at Rs 5,631 crore and spread across 471.34 hectares in Sipasarubali near Brahmagiri, hit a roadblock last week, as despite receiving EC recommendation, the project’s forest clearance remained in limbo.
The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of MoEF&CC, in its meeting on June 24, deferred approval, citing concerns over potential threats to ecologically sensitive species and critical habitats.
Forest and Wildlife Concerns Stall Final Approval
The FAC flagged the proposed felling of 13,000 coastal trees, including casuarina and acacia, which currently act as a natural bio-shield protecting Puri’s vulnerable coastline from cyclonic storms.
It also raised alarms over the airport’s proximity to Olive Ridley turtle nesting sites, Irrawaddy dolphin habitats, and key migratory bird flyways to the Chilika Lake.
With the airport project emerging as a priority infrastructure initiative for the state, the Odisha government is now focused on fulfilling pending statutory requirements to take the project forward.
In response to the FAC’s concerns, the Odisha government has roped in the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Estuarine Biology Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) to conduct comprehensive ecological impact assessments, reported The Times of India.
Notably, these studies aim to evaluate migratory patterns, nesting grounds, and potential aviation risks from bird movement and to formulate detailed mitigation strategies.
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Mitigation and Compliance Plan Underway
State authorities have also submitted a site-specific wildlife conservation plan and disaster management framework as part of their compliance efforts. These include plans for cyclone shelters, biodiversity monitoring during construction, and assurances that the proposed site does not overlap with any critical habitats.
The state also defended its forest land requirement, clarifying that 27.88 hectares are needed for core infrastructure, and committed to afforestation and environmental compensation measures.
Regarding illegal construction concerns flagged in earlier inspection reports, including a 1,400-metre boundary wall built on forest land, the government has promised corrective action in line with the Forest Conservation Act and CRZ norms.
CRZ Clearance and Next Steps Toward Execution
Given that part of the project area lies within CRZ limits and overlaps with a no-development zone, the EAC has asked the Odisha government to secure additional comments from the Ministry’s CRZ division.
Only upon obtaining Stage-I forest clearance and addressing coastal regulation objections can the environmental clearance recommendation be formalised.
Government officials remain optimistic that once EC and forest clearances are secured, other procedural hurdles, including CRZ and wildlife board approvals, will follow in sequence, enabling the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to initiate construction.
