Puri airport more likely to be prepared by 2022-23: Odisha transport minister
2 min read By Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR : The proposed worldwide airport at Puri might be prepared for operations by 2022-23, Commerce and Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera mentioned right here on Sunday. The State authorities has situated 1,500 acre of land within the western outskirts of Puri city at Birala mouza for the airport. Behera mentioned a workforce from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) just lately visited the land recognized for the airport. It is predicted that the Civil Aviation Ministry will give its approval to the placement, he added.
“If everything goes well, the airstrip and the construction of other infrastructure will be completed in a year and flight service under UDAN scheme will begin from Puri during 2022-23,” he mentioned. The Minister additionally mentioned the federal government has taken up with the Ministry in regards to the infrastructure growth of current airstrips in different districts.
“Apart from this, the government is cooperating with the Ministry for the commencement of flights from Rourkela (Sundargarh), Utkela (Kalahandi) and Jeypore (Koraput),” he added. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 1 proposing a global airport at Puri. He had proposed the identify as Sri Jagannath International Airport.
Stating that land has been recognized at Puri for the challenge, he has assured that the State authorities will proactively help all actions required for establishing the airport in file time. In his letter, the Chief Minister had mentioned Puri is related to 2 Ramsar websites, Chilika lake and Bhitarkanika National Park, which have large potential for eco-tourism.
“Besides, the Sun Temple of Konark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is 35 km away from Puri and along with the adjacent Ramachandi-Chandrabhaga beaches provide a unique experience to national and international tourists,” he added. Stating that holy Rath Yatra is widely known throughout 192 international locations, the Chief Minister had mentioned the proposed airport will assist deliver Jagannath devotees from the world over to Puri and promote Jagannath tradition the world over.
