The Centre granted Stage-I approval for the construction of the Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri, marking a major step forward in Odisha’s infrastructure development.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued the clearance to the state government on April 1 under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.
The Advisory Committee reviewed the proposal on February 27, 2026, and recommended approval after detailed evaluation. The clearance allows diversion of 27.887 hectares of forest land under the Puri Forest Division for the project, in accordance with Section 2(1)(ii) of the Act.
This approval follows the Centre’s earlier in-principle nod for setting up a greenfield airport in Puri. The project aims to enhance connectivity between Puri—one of Hinduism’s four sacred pilgrimage sites—and major cities across India.
Officials said the airport will strengthen tourism, improve accessibility for pilgrims, and contribute to regional economic growth. The development aligns with Odisha’s vision to position Puri as a global spiritual and cultural destination.
The Shree Jagannath International Airport project represents a milestone in the state’s aviation expansion, promising to transform travel and trade opportunities in coastal Odisha.
