Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to infrastructure and religious tourism in Odisha, the Central Government has accorded ‘in-principle’ approval for the development of a greenfield airport in the holy city of Puri. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi made the announcement on Tuesday, expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union civil aviation minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu for the landmark decision. Taking to social media platform X, the Chief Minister shared, “In a huge boost to connectivity and religious tourism, the Central Government has granted in-principle approval for a new greenfield airport in Puri. Named the Shree Jagannath Airport, the ambitious infrastructure project will be developed over 1,164 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 5,631 crore.” According to official sources, the airport will be constructed in three phases and, upon completion, will have the capacity to handle 4.6 million passengers annually. The airport is expected to transform the connectivity landscape of Odisha, linking Puri directly with major metropolitan cities across India and significantly enhancing both tourism and commercial activity in the region. A senior government official said the new airport will not only provide seamless travel options for pilgrims and tourists visiting the famous Jagannath Temple but also stimulate economic growth and employment opportunities in the area. The project is expected to serve as a catalyst for regional development, attracting investments in hospitality, transport, and allied sectors. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed that land acquisition for the project, covering 1,164 acres, has already been identified. The airport is set to become a vital addition to Odisha’s growing aviation infrastructure. Alongside Puri, the Union ministry of civil aviation also granted in-principle approval for a greenfield airport in Kota, Rajasthan, further bolstering the country’s regional connectivity push.
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