Green Signal for Shree Jagannath International Airport: A Leap Forward for Puri Tourism

In a significant development, the Shree Jagannath International Airport project in Puri has secured initial forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This approval allows the diversion of 27 hectares of forest land, marking a step forward for the greenfield project.

Proposed by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in 2021, the airport project aims to boost Puri's tourism sector by improving connectivity with major cities across India. The project is expected to handle 46 lakh passengers annually once completed.

The approval, which is contingent upon fulfilling environmental conditions like afforestation and wildlife conservation, signifies a crucial step towards gaining full construction approval. Officials emphasize its potential impact on tourism and regional development.