Bhubaneswar: The proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri, Odisha, has received key approvals from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, paving the way for its development as a Greenfield airport under the Central government’s 2008 policy.
In a written reply to a Rajya Sabha Starred Question posed by MP Subhasish Khuntia, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu confirmed that the site clearance was granted in September 2023, followed by ‘In-Principle’ approval on May 6, 2025. These approvals came after consultations with all concerned stakeholders and a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Defence.
The Phase-1 development of the airport is projected to handle 4.6 million passengers per annum, and the Environmental Clearance (EC) has also been recommended by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) in June 2025.
Implementation responsibilities, including land acquisition, rehabilitation, resettlement (R&R), funding, and securing clearances, lie with the Government of Odisha, which is the project proponent.
Highlighting the economic benefits, the Ministry noted that the development of airports has a multiplier effect on regional economies, boosting tourism, employment, land value, and tax revenues. As per International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) estimates, air connectivity has an economic multiplier of 3.25 and an employment multiplier of 6.1.
