Bhubaneswar, July 4 (UNI) The Odisha Government is set to finalise the modalities for issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP), marking a key step in advancing the Puri International Airport project into its execution phase.
The proposed Puri International Airport, a flagship infrastructure initiative of the Odisha Government, has made significant progress, securing several critical clearances and regulatory milestones that reaffirm its steady path toward realisation.
The project, which aims to transform the coastal town of Puri into an international gateway, received a major boost on September 22, 2023, when the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India, granted Site Clearance for the Greenfield airport.
Further momentum was gained on May 6, 2025, when the Centre gave in-principle approval, paving the way for the next phase of development.
Spread across a total area of 1,164 acres, the project involves minimal forest land diversion—only 68 acres have been classified as District Level Committee (DLC)/Revenue Forest land.
The Commerce & Transport Department of the Odisha Government has already submitted all necessary compliance documents to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
The Regional Empowered Committee (REC) under the Integrated Regional Office (IRO) of MoEF&CC in Bhubaneswar has since recommended the project for Stage-I Forest Clearance.
The forest diversion proposal is now under active review by the Central Ministry. In a meeting held on June 24, 2025, the Advisory Committee of the MoEF&CC requested additional inputs, including a Wildlife Conservation Plan and mitigation strategies for ecologically sensitive species such as Olive Ridley turtles, dolphins, and migratory birds.
The conservation plan is currently being developed in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
Government officials clarified that such procedures are standard for large-scale infrastructure projects. The Commerce & Transport Department has already initiated the preparation of mitigation measures as per the Advisory Committee’s recommendations and will submit the plan to secure final Stage-I clearance.
In another major regulatory milestone, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under MoEF&CC recommended Environmental Clearance for the project during its meeting on June 26, 2025.
Once operational, the Puri International Airport will offer direct air connectivity to one of India’s most iconic spiritual and cultural destinations, significantly boosting tourism, employment, and regional economic development.
The project underscores Odisha’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and inclusive growth.
