Puri international airport gets major approvals, construction to begin soon

The much anticipated Shree Jagannath International Airport at Puri has now crossed several vital regulatory milestones, signaling strong momentum toward its development.

According to The Times of India report, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu has confirmed that the Centre granted in-principle approval for the greenfield airport on May 6, 2025, followed by the Expert Appraisal Committee’s recommendation for environmental clearance on June 5, 2025.

Constructed over 1,164 acres, Phase‑1 is expected to handle approximately 4.6 million passengers annually, positioning the airport as a major aviation hub in eastern India.

Site clearance had previously been granted in September 2023 by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the Defence Ministry has now provided its no-objection certificate. 

The Commerce & Transport Department has submitted all necessary documentation to the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), and the Regional Empowered Committee at Bhubaneswar has recommended Stage-I Forest Clearance, in line with precautionary environmental requirements.

The MoEF&CC’s advisory panel on June 24, 2025 requested additional ecological safeguards, including comprehensive wildlife conservation and mitigation plan, developed with input from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to protect Olive Ridley turtles, Irrawaddy dolphins, and migratory birds inhabiting the coastal zone.

With the EAC’s endorsement of environmental clearance granted on June 26, 2025, the airport project now prepares to enter its next phase, with the Odisha government expected to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) shortly and initiate construction planning.

When completed, the new international airport is anticipated to significantly enhance infrastructure in Puri, a major pilgrimage destination, by boosting tourism, generating jobs, increasing land value, and fostering economic growth across the region.