The long-awaited Puri International Airport project has received a major boost, with the Central Government granting Stage-I (in-principle) approval for diversion of forest land, paving the way for its development.According to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the proposal submitted by the Odisha Government has been approved under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The clearance was granted after the proposal was examined by the Advisory Committee constituted by the Centre.As per the notification, the Central Government has accorded “in-principle/Stage-I” approval for the diversion of 27.887 hectares of DLC forest land under the Puri Forest Division for the construction of the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri district.The approval follows detailed consideration of the state government’s proposal and recommendations of the Advisory Committee. However, the clearance is subject to certain conditions that need to be fulfilled before the final Stage-II approval is granted.The Odisha Government had earlier sought forest clearance for the ambitious airport project, which has been in discussion for several years. With this key approval now in place, the project has moved a step closer to execution.The proposed airport is expected to significantly enhance air connectivity to Puri, one of the country’s pilgrimage destinations, and boost tourism and economic growth in the region.Officials indicated that compliance with stipulated conditions will be crucial for securing final approval and initiating construction work.The development is being seen as a significant milestone in strengthening Odisha’s aviation infrastructure and realizing the long-pending demand for an international airport in Puri.
