Puri airport gets stage 1 environmental clearance

Bhubaneswar: The proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri on Saturday received stage-1 environmental clearance from the ministry of forest, environment and climate change (MoEFCC), crucial to fast-track the ambitious greenfield project.

Last year in June, after the forest ministry gave in-principle approval to the project on May 6, the expert appraisal committee (EAC) recommended environmental clearance. The proposed airport will have an estimated passenger-handling capacity of 4.6 million per annum.

“After careful consideration of the Odisha govt’s proposal on the basis of recommendation of advisory committee and approval of same by competent authority of MoEFCC, the central govt 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,” the letter from MoEFCC to the forest department read. The stage-1 clearance has certain conditions to be fulfilled for getting the final nod, the letter said. “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,” said collector (Puri) Dibyajyoti Parida.

The airport is proposed to be developed on a 471-hectare area (1,164 acre) with an estimated cost of Rs 5,631 crore.

Earlier, the regional office of MoEFCC here had pointed out that although the presence of dolphins and Olive Ridley turtles has been acknowledged by the state govt, there is need for a long-term, in-depth impact assessment.

The forest advisory committee (FAC) directive for detailed impact assessment on environment and wildlife came following concerns raised by the MoEFCC’s regional office. The FAC has also asked for a conservation and mitigation plan, requiring approval from the chief wildlife warden. It also highlighted environmental concerns about the planned cutting of 13,000 trees currently serving as a bio-shield and coastal shelter.

Officials said for the runway and passenger terminal building, 3.427 hectares and 0.037 hectare of forest land is required, although total required runway space is 114.961 hectares.