The land acquisition process for the Sri Jagannath International Airport in Puri, Odisha is expected to be completed within the next six months, according to a government official. Once the land acquisition is finalized, the construction of the airport, spanning 1,164 acres, is likely to begin. Estimated to cost around Rs 5,631 crore, the airport project has already acquired over 961 acres of land, with the remaining private land acquisition currently in progress. Plans for the rehabilitation and resettlement of locals affected by the project are also underway.
The construction of the airport has been preceded by the submission of the project proposal, identification of the land, and a favorable obstacle limitation surfaces (OLS) survey. Following a completed public hearing for the acquisition of private land, the project is now awaiting a few more clearances before commencing construction.
In a significant development, last year, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) granted site clearance approval for the airport project, exactly a year after the government had submitted all necessary requisites in accordance with the Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008.
Currently, the closest airport to Puri is the Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar, located approximately 64.6 kilometers away. The proposed Puri International Airport, once operational, will primarily serve the Puri region and cater to the growing demand for air travel.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to establish an international airport at Puri in 2021. Patnaik has consistently raised the issue of the airport with the Prime Minister, emphasizing its significance in promoting the rich cultural heritage of Jagannath Puri.
With the land acquisition process expected to conclude within the next six months, the commencement of construction appears imminent. The Puri International Airport project aims to enhance connectivity, boost tourism, and cater to the increasing air travel needs of the region.
