Puri’s Green Light: Jagannath International Airport Clears Major Environmental Hurdles
The ambitious Shree Jagannath International Airport project in Odisha has crossed a pivotal milestone, securing final environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearances from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The greenfield facility, envisioned as a game-changer for Odisha’s tourism sector, is set to be constructed in the Sipasarubali area of Puri, approximately five kilometers from the iconic Jagannath Temple.
While the project promises to bridge the infrastructure gap in the region, its approval comes amidst a contentious backdrop, with wildlife experts and conservationists raising significant alarms regarding the ecological sensitivity of the site.
A Massive Infrastructure Push
The proposed airport will be developed on a sprawling 471.348-hectare site, a portion of which includes 27.887 hectares of forest land. Designed in a phased manner, the facility is expected to handle 4.6 million passengers annually in its inaugural stage. As demand grows, the master plan includes expansions to handle 10.18 million passengers in Phase-II and up to 16.69 million in Phase-III.
Puri District Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida confirmed that the ministry has granted the necessary forest, environmental, and CRZ approvals. “We have received the essential clearances, and the state government is now finalizing the transition to the next stage,” Parida said. The administration is currently awaiting a formal no-objection certificate, which will trigger the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the state Transport Department.
Addressing Forest Diversion
The Ministry’s approval under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam came with a stringent list of 33 conditions. Central to these mandates is the requirement for compensatory afforestation, where the state must develop new forest cover over nearly 30 hectares of non-forest land. Furthermore, the project must adhere to a site-specific wildlife management plan, curated under the expert guidance of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the Zoological Survey of India, to mitigate the footprint of construction activity.
The Ecological Controversy
Despite the government’s push, the project remains heavily contested. The WII had originally recommended rejecting the proposal, citing the airport’s proximity to the Balukhanda-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary and the Chilika Lake—a Ramsar site of international importance.
The primary concern revolves around the Central Asian Flyway, a critical migratory corridor for birds. Environmentalists argue that the airport’s location will not only endanger migratory species but also create a hazardous “bird strike” environment. The WII highlighted historical international tragedies, such as the 1988 disaster at Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar Airport and the 2024 collision at South Korea’s Muan International Airport, to illustrate how close proximity to wetlands can result in catastrophic aviation safety failures.
Balancing Growth and Conservation
Proponents of the airport argue that the project is an absolute necessity. With Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport constrained by dense urban expansion and lacking room for horizontal development, Puri has emerged as the only viable site to host a high-capacity international gateway. By facilitating direct air connectivity to the pilgrim city, the state government believes it will significantly boost Odisha’s economy and global visibility.
As the project moves from administrative approval to technical planning, the challenge for authorities will be to implement the stringent mitigation strategies mandated by the ministry, ensuring that the dream of a world-class airport does not come at the cost of the region’s unique marine and avian biodiversity.
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