In a significant development, the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in the pilgrim city of Puri has reportedly moved a step closer to its upcoming construction work with the project getting the statutory forest clearance.
As per reports, the proposed greenfield airport will come up over 1164 acres of land. According to sources in the district administration, 221 acres have been acquired to date and public hearings for the land acquisition have been over. The land acquisition process is in progress, the sources added.
Construction of its boundary wall is underway on behalf of the IDCO.
About the project, Bhabataran Sahu, Deputy Collector of Puri, said, “A total area of 1164 acres has been earmarked for the airport project while 221 acres are private land. The rest is government land. Public hearings over land acquisition have been completed and people fully supported the project. All necessary steps like statutory clearances like environment and other clearances are being taken.”
Expressing pleasure over the project, Puri MLA Jayant Sarangi said, "The Central government is granting statutory clearances for the project as being sought by the state government from time to time. Recently, I visited New Delhi and heard about the execution of the airport project.”
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He further stated that in view of the quick steps being taken by the Central government, he is confident about the implementation of the Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri.
Sources said the state government has written to the Central government for site clearance after which construction work is expected to be taken up.
Notably, the airport is expected to ease travel of the Jagannath devotees across the globe to Puri through direct air connectivity.