The long-pending proposal for an international airport in Puri, Odisha, has received a key approval from the Central Government, The News Insight reported. According to the report, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has granted Stage-I, or in-principle, forest clearance for the project, allowing the diversion of forest land required for construction.
According to an official notification cited by OTV, the approval is issued under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, following detailed evaluation by the Advisory Committee constituted by the Centre.
The notification states that “in-principle/Stage-I” clearance has been granted for the diversion of 27.887 hectares of DLC forest land under the Puri Forest Division for building the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri district.
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The clearance comes with conditions that the Odisha Government must comply with before final Stage-II approval can be obtained. Officials said that compliance with these stipulated conditions will be critical for moving forward with construction.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change communicated its decision through a letter to the Odisha Government on April 1, 2026.
The project's proposal, submitted by the state, was reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Feb. 27. Following a detailed assessment and recommendations from the committee, the competent authority granted Stage-I clearance.
The approval allows for the diversion of forest land in accordance with Section 2 (1) (ii) of the Forest (Conservation) Act. Officials noted that this clearance builds on the earlier in-principle nod granted by the Centre last year for setting up a greenfield airport in Puri, showing steady progress in the project's approval process.
This is a huge one for Odisha!
— Manas Muduli (@manas_muduli) April 4, 2026
Forest clearance has been granted for the Puri International Airport.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has given In-Principle (Stage-I) Forest Clearance for the construction of the Shree Jagannath International Airport in… pic.twitter.com/DWVCY9MRqP
The proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport is expected to improve air connectivity to Puri, a major pilgrimage destination. It aims to provide direct links to key metropolitan cities, which officials say will strengthen tourism and regional development.
The government highlighted that the airport will not only serve as a transport hub but will also contribute to economic growth in the region.
Upcoming Major Airports in India
The expansion of India's aviation sector includes several new airports under development across the country. These projects aim to improve connectivity, handle growing passenger and cargo traffic, and boost regional economies. Some of the major upcoming airports include:
1. Dholera International Airport, Gujarat
Located near Ahmedabad, this airport is one of India's largest greenfield projects. Spread over 1,400 hectares, it is expected to open by late 2026 and will serve the Dholera Special Investment Region, functioning as both a passenger hub and an economic engine for cargo and industrial investments.
2. Shri Jagannath International Airport, Odisha
Designed to improve access to one of India's most visited pilgrimage destinations, the airport is expected to be built post-2026. It will reduce travel time for domestic and international pilgrims and support the growth of Odisha's tourism and hospitality sectors.
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3. Kota Greenfield Airport, Rajasthan
The airport in Kota, a major educational hub, is expected to open between 2026 and 2027. Featuring a runway of approximately 3,200 meters, it will reduce reliance on Jaipur and Udaipur airports and improve travel options for students and families.
4. Sonpur Greenfield Airport, Bihar
Planned near Sonpur, this airport is expected to open around 2030. It aims to relieve operational pressure on Patna Airport, increase passenger capacity, enable larger aircraft operations, and enhance connectivity across Bihar.
5. Bhogapuram International Airport, Andhra Pradesh
Located near Visakhapatnam, this airport is slated for a 2026 opening. It will reduce dependence on existing regional airports, provide direct international connections, boost coastal tourism, and support the state's export industries.
Smaller airports are also being developed under the UDAN scheme, including Datia and Satna in Madhya Pradesh, and Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, to further enhance regional connectivity and strengthen India's aviation network.
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