The temple town of Puri in Odisha is poised for a major infrastructure transformation, with the central government granting in-principle approval for the development of a greenfield airport, projected at an estimated cost of ₹5,631 crore.
The proposed Shree Jagannath Airport, strategically located near the villages of Sipasarubali and Sandhapur under Brahmagiri tehsil, will occupy over 1,100 acres, marking a significant milestone in the region’s connectivity and tourism ecosystem. Announced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the clearance represents more than just a boost to regional air transport. It symbolises an infrastructural commitment to religious tourism, sustainable urban development, and inclusive regional growth in eastern India. Once operational, the airport is expected to serve millions of pilgrims, tourists, and business travellers drawn to the coastal city famed for the historic Jagannath Temple, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
Officials from the civil aviation sector emphasised that this project is a strategic intervention to bridge accessibility gaps and unlock the economic potential of Odisha’s religious and cultural heartland. Puri, which draws lakhs of visitors annually, has long been dependent on Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport, located about 60 km away. The new airport is anticipated to significantly cut travel time, enhance pilgrim safety, and facilitate swift movement during large-scale events such as the Rath Yatra. According to aviation experts, the project also aligns with India’s broader aviation expansion under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, which seeks to enhance regional air connectivity while ensuring equitable access to aviation services across states. The new greenfield airport in Puri is one of 21 such projects approved by the Centre to bolster tier-2 and tier-3 city connectivity.
In line with evolving policy emphasis on sustainability and environmental accountability, the airport’s development blueprint includes green infrastructure principles. Civil aviation officials noted that provisions for energy-efficient terminals, green building certification, rainwater harvesting, and waste recycling mechanisms are being integrated into the design. The airport is also expected to include provisions for solar energy generation to minimise carbon emissions in line with India’s net-zero commitments. Urban planners and environmental experts have stressed that sustainable airports must prioritise multimodal connectivity, equitable land use planning, and biodiversity preservation. The location near coastal Puri demands sensitive ecological considerations, especially in light of climate resilience challenges facing coastal Odisha. Experts have recommended robust environmental impact assessments and the use of eco-sensitive construction materials to ensure minimal disruption to local ecosystems.
Officials from Odisha’s tourism and urban development departments have welcomed the announcement as a catalyst for economic and social development. The airport is expected to generate significant employment opportunities during both construction and operational phases, while also incentivising local entrepreneurship in hospitality, transport, and services sectors. The state’s flagship religious tourism circuit, centred around the Jagannath Temple, Konark Sun Temple, and Chilika Lake, is poised for major growth with improved air access. Transport economists assert that the Puri airport will not only attract high-spending tourists and international devotees but also encourage investments in related infrastructure, such as hotels, transport terminals, and civic amenities.
For the people of Puri and surrounding districts, the airport represents more than just a travel convenience—it signals a chance for inclusive economic integration and upward mobility. The move is especially significant for women entrepreneurs and marginalised communities who can access broader markets and resources through improved regional linkages. While the project has received a green light at the policy level, the on-ground implementation will hinge on sensitive and fair land acquisition processes. The proposed 1,100-acre site will require engagement with local communities in Sipasarubali and Sandhapur villages, many of whom rely on agriculture and fishing for livelihood.
Officials from the land and revenue department have indicated that social impact assessments and public consultations will be carried out to address concerns over displacement, compensation, and rehabilitation. Experts in equitable urban development have urged transparency, participatory planning, and gender-sensitive resettlement measures to ensure that the airport does not exacerbate local inequalities. Civil society groups advocating for fair development have underscored the importance of integrating local skills into the airport’s employment pipeline. They argue that sustainable infrastructure should not only preserve the environment but also empower the communities it is meant to serve.
The Shree Jagannath Airport stands as a compelling example of how religious heritage and modern infrastructure can be integrated to mutual benefit. Officials believe the airport will not only enhance global visibility for Odisha but also elevate Puri’s position as a world-class spiritual destination. To this end, the airport’s architectural design is expected to reflect local cultural aesthetics, with references to temple architecture and the Jagannath cult incorporated into terminal interiors and landscaping. Cultural experts involved in early design consultations have recommended that the airport serve as an experiential gateway to Odisha’s rich spiritual and artistic heritage.
Puri’s inclusion in India’s expanding list of greenfield airport projects underlines the national ambition to democratise air travel and decentralise infrastructure investment. Alongside Puri, other approved projects include those in Navi Mumbai, Dholera, Kushinagar, Shivamogga, and Mopa, reinforcing a long-term shift towards polycentric urban development. Infrastructure analysts maintain that these decentralised airports are vital for reducing the pressure on metro cities, balancing regional growth, and reducing the overall carbon footprint of travel by shortening land-to-air transfer times. If executed with sustainability and equity as guiding principles, these airports could emerge as models for climate-resilient and socially inclusive infrastructure.
As India navigates its urban future, the challenge remains in executing such high-investment projects without compromising ecological integrity or social justice. The greenfield airport in Puri, if planned and implemented responsibly, has the potential to become a beacon of integrated and inclusive infrastructure development—connecting not only cities but people, traditions, and futures.
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