The ambitious Shri Jagannath International Airport project in Puri has cleared a major hurdle. The Union Ministry of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change has officially granted Stage-1 approval to the Odisha government for the diversion of forest land.
Following a proposal submitted under the Forest Conservation and Promotion Act, 1980, the Center reviewed the environmental impact and authorized the acquisition of 27.887 hectares of forest land.
This crucial clearance paves the way for the State Forest Department to begin the land handover process.
Located near the holy town of Puri, the international airport is a flagship project aimed at boosting global tourism and improving connectivity for millions of devotees.
With this federal nod, construction is set to gain momentum, bringing the coastal city one step closer to appearing on the international aviation map.