The ambitious greenfield airport project in Puri, Odisha, has hit a major environmental roadblock, with the Centre’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) deferring its approval due to serious ecological concerns. The proposed airport at Brahmagiri faces objections over its proximity to sensitive habitats, including nesting sites of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles, the threatened Irrawaddy dolphin’s habitat, and the coastal area’s fragile ecology.
During a meeting on 28 November, the FAC sought detailed studies on the migration routes and habitats of the Olive Ridley turtles and Irrawaddy dolphins along the Puri coast. These studies, it stated, must cover at least a year, after which an action plan for their protection can be drafted. The project site’s closeness to the INS Chilka naval base and the Central Asian flyway has also raised concerns. The FAC has recommended consulting the Ministry of Defence on these issues. Additionally, the Union Environment Ministry’s regional office in Bhubaneswar pointed out several discrepancies, including the fragmented presentation of the project. Officials noted that the airport and an associated six-lane expressway were pitched separately, allegedly to obtain easier clearances. The Odisha government has argued the need for the airport, citing saturation concerns at Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPI) and the lack of expansion space. It claims the Puri airport will enhance connectivity for cities like Puri, Jagatsinghpur, and Berhampur, linking them to global aviation networks.
However, the FAC’s regional inspection report highlighted flaws in this proposition, noting that Brahmagiri lacks proper highway connectivity to nearby districts such as Ganjam, Khurda, and Jagatsinghpur. The report also emphasised that the project would involve the felling of over 13,000 trees, removing a critical bioshield protecting the area from cyclones and tidal influences. Earlier this year, the project faced backlash for constructing a 1,400-metre boundary wall extending up to the sea line without necessary clearances. The FAC has now withheld approval until a comprehensive review and additional studies are completed. While the Odisha government stresses the project’s economic potential, environmentalists warn of irreversible ecological damage. With concerns mounting, the future of the Puri greenfield airport hangs in balance, with sustainability at the forefront of the debate.
