Puri's Jagannath Airport Project Advances with Stage-1 Environmental Clearance
In a significant development for Odisha's infrastructure landscape, the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri has received stage-1 environmental clearance from the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change (MoEFCC). This approval, granted on Saturday, marks a crucial step forward in fast-tracking the ambitious greenfield airport project, which has been under careful scrutiny for its environmental impact.
Official Approval and Project Details
The MoEFCC's official communication to the forest department stated: "After careful consideration of the Odisha government's proposal on the basis of recommendation of advisory committee and approval of same by competent authority of MoEFCC, the central government hereby accords in-principle stage-1 approval under Section 2 (1) (ii) of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 for diversion of 27.88 hectares of forest land for construction of Shree Jagannath International Airport under Puri forest division in Puri district."
Puri Collector Dibyajyoti Parida clarified the significance of this clearance: "The in-principle stage-1 clearance means now the required forest land is part of the project and the project can be taken up while complying with conditions." The approval comes with specific conditions that must be fulfilled before final environmental clearance can be granted.
Project Scale and Environmental Considerations
The airport project represents a massive infrastructure undertaking with substantial environmental implications:
- Project Area: 471 hectares (1,164 acres)
- Estimated Cost: Rs 5,631 crore
- Passenger Capacity: 4.6 million per annum
- Forest Land Requirement: 27.88 hectares for diversion
- Runway Space: 114.961 hectares total, with 3.427 hectares requiring forest land
- Terminal Building: 0.037 hectare of forest land needed
The project's environmental assessment has been particularly thorough due to several ecological concerns. The MoEFCC's regional office had previously highlighted the need for comprehensive impact assessments regarding local wildlife, specifically noting the presence of dolphins and Olive Ridley turtles in the area.
Environmental Safeguards and Conditions
The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has mandated several environmental protection measures that must be addressed before the project can proceed to final clearance:
- Detailed Impact Assessment: A comprehensive, long-term study of environmental and wildlife impacts must be conducted
- Conservation Plan: Development of a detailed conservation and mitigation strategy
- Wildlife Warden Approval: The conservation plan requires approval from the chief wildlife warden
- Tree Protection: Addressing concerns about the planned cutting of 13,000 trees that currently serve as a bio-shield and coastal shelter
This stage-1 clearance follows last year's progress when the forest ministry granted in-principle approval on May 6, 2023, and the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) recommended environmental clearance in June 2023. The current approval represents the next formal step in the regulatory process, allowing the project to move forward while ensuring environmental safeguards are properly addressed.
The Shree Jagannath International Airport project now enters a critical phase where environmental compliance and mitigation measures will be closely monitored as the state government works toward fulfilling all conditions for final environmental clearance. This development represents a balancing act between infrastructure development and environmental conservation in one of Odisha's most culturally and ecologically significant regions.
