Puri International Airport Project Gains Momentum with Environmental Clearance
Significant Progress for Puri International Airport
Puri: The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recently endorsed the Environmental Clearance (EC) for the Puri International Airport, a key infrastructure initiative by the Odisha government, as stated in an official announcement on Friday.
During a meeting on June 26, the EAC recommended the environmental clearance for this ambitious project.
This initiative aims to establish Puri as an international gateway, and it has made significant strides with various essential approvals and regulatory achievements, indicating a positive trajectory towards its realization.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) granted site clearance for the new airport on September 22, 2023, followed by in-principle approval from the central government on May 6, 2025, paving the way for further development.
Covering an area of 1,164 acres, the project requires minimal forest land diversion, with only 68 acres designated as district-level committee (DLC)/revenue forest land. The state’s Commerce & Transport department has submitted all necessary compliance documents to the MoEF&CC.
The Regional Empowered Committee (REC) at the integrated regional office has already recommended the project for stage-I forest clearance, and the forest diversion proposal is currently under consideration by the forest ministry.
In a meeting on June 24, 2025, the advisory committee of MoEF&CC requested additional information, including a wildlife conservation strategy and mitigation measures for ecologically sensitive species like Olive Ridley turtles, dolphins, and migratory birds. The conservation plan is being developed in partnership with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
Officials from the state government emphasized that these measures are standard for large infrastructure projects. The department is actively preparing the necessary mitigation strategies in accordance with the advisory committee's suggestions and will submit the plan to obtain Stage-I clearance.
With these crucial developments, the state government is poised to finalize the request for proposal (RFP) process, advancing the project into its execution phase.
Once operational, the airport is expected to provide direct air access to one of India's most cherished spiritual and cultural sites, enhancing tourism, creating jobs, and fostering regional economic growth.