EnvironmentSaturday, 17 October 2026·The Hindu - National
MoEF clearance for Puri greenfield airport: CRZ, wildlife and coastal safeguards
MoEF granted environmental and CRZ clearance for the 471.348-hectare Shree Jagannath International Airport project in Puri, with bird-hazard and shoreline conditions.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In October 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change granted Environmental Clearance and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the 471.348 ha greenfield Shree Jagannath International Airport project at Sipasarubali in Puri district, Odisha.
Key specifics
- The project area is 471.348 ha, including 353.862 ha of government land.
- The first phase expects passenger traffic of 4.6 million passengers per annum (MPPA).
- The site is about 50 km by air and 67 km by road from Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar.
- MoEF asked for a bird hazard study from a reputed institute and submission with the first six-monthly compliance report.
- The project is near Chilka Lake, a Ramsar Site and wetland of international importance, raising migratory bird concerns.
Exam lens
Question type: Environment and coastal regulation, CRZ clearance, Ramsar Site, bird hazard study, 471.348 ha project area. TNPSC may ask the ministry, the site, and the ecological conditions attached to approval.