Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri Gets Stage-I Forest Clearance

The proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri has received the Stage-I forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This approval will marks the significant step towards to developing new aviation gateway for India’s one of the most important pilgrimage destination. The project is expected to enhance the connectivity, promote tourism and will strengthen the Odisha’s infrastructure.

Stage-I Forest Clearance: What It Is?

Shree Jagannath International Airport approval granted is the conditional or in-principle clearance which allowing the diversion of the forest land for non-forest purposes.

Key Details of the Approval

• Nearly 27.886 hectares forest land cleared for the project.
• The stage-1 clearance granted on the April 1st, 2026.
• It was cleared on the based of ministry’s recommendations.

Although this is not the final approval. Also the project must have to meet several conditions before the receiving Stage-II clearance and which is mandatory for construction to begin.

Conditions Attached to the Clearance

The government has imposed the strict environmental safeguards to ensure sustainable development.

Major Conditions Include,

• Compensatory afforestation to the offset forest loss
• Payment of the forest diversion charges
• Measures for wildlife and ecosystem protection
• And compliance with environmental norms

Only after fulfilling these conditions Odisha authorities can proceed with the final approval stage.

Project Background and Importance

The airport project was initially proposed by the Odisha government in 2023 and it has been under evaluation since that day.

The new airport aims to,

• Improve the air connectivity to Puri which is a major pilgrimage hub
• Also to reduce dependence on Bhubaneswar airport
• And support international tourism inflow

As the Puri holds the religious significance specially during the events like Rath Yatra. The project is expected to handle the large volumes of domestic and international travelers.

Importance For The Odisha

This proposed airport in Puri will boost the religious tourism by making the travel easier for millions of devotees visiting the Char Dham pilgrimage site.

It is also expected to generate employment, support local businesses and the increase tourist arrivals.

Additionally this project will drive the infrastructure development with improving road and rail connectivity and also to promoting urban growth.