Tourists and pilgrims visiting Jagannath Puri, Odisha, will soon have access to a new international airport featuring world-class facilities. The state government has proposed the construction of the airport in Puri, which is expected to be operational by 2024. The airport will be developed and managed by the AAI and will receive an investment of over Rs 5631 crore.Â
Located in Girala village near the beach approximately 600 metres away from the ‘high tide line’ as per CRZ regulations, the airport will be a much-needed addition to the area due to the high footfall at the world-famous Jagannath Temple. This new airport will replace Bhubaneswar Airport, which has reached its maximum handling capacity. On May 18, 2023, Narendra Modi met Naveen Patnaik to discuss the project’s construction plans in detail.
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Which is the nearest airport to Jagannath Puri?
The Biju Patnaik Airport (IATA Code: BBI) in Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport to the heritage city of Jagannath Puri, located around 64.6 km away. If you are planning to visit Puri, you can easily catch a train from the airport, which takes about 2 hours 36 minutes to reach Puri. If you prefer a more comfortable travel option, booking a taxi from the airport to Puri is highly recommended. The journey takes less than an hour, depending on the traffic conditions.
Jagannath Puri Airport: Recent developmentsÂ
On May 31, 2023, the first public hearing for the proposed Jagannath Puri Airport was held and it received a green signal from all the villagers and locals whose land had been acquired for the airport. According to officials, the proposed airport will be set up on a total of 1,164 acres of land, of which 221 acres are private land. The private land comprises 153 acres in the Sipasarubali area and 68 acres in Sandhapur, both under the Brahmagiri tehsil. The district administration has clarified that acquiring the uninhabited private land will be a hassle-free process. On August 7, 2023, the Central government submitted the Odisha Government’s application for the proposed greenfield international airport at Puri to AAI, the Ministry of Defence, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for approval.
Jagannath Puri Airport: Opening date
Jagannath Puri Airport is currently under development and expected to be completed within the next 3 to 4 years. The opening date has not yet been finalised, but according to Naveen Patnaik, the airport is expected to be operational within the next 4 years.
FAQs
What is the name of the national airport in Odisha?
The only airport in the state is the Biju Patnaik International (BPI) Airport, located in Bhubaneswar (1962), in addition to the Veer Surendra Sai (VSS) Airport, Jharsuguda (2017), a domestic airport; both are owned and operated by the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
Where will the Jagannath Puri Airport be located?
The Jagannath Puri Airport is proposed to be conveniently located in Girala village, Puri, Odisha.
When is the Jagannath Puri Airport expected to start operating?
According to the Odisha government, the Jagannath Puri Airport is expected to start operating in the next 3 to 4 years.
When is the best time to visit Puri?
The best time to visit Puri is between October and February when the weather is comfortable, with temperatures ranging between 16 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius. The tourist attractions in this city also have an ethereal aura during this season.
How far is Puri from the airport?
Puri is located 60 km away from the Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar, which is connected by air to major Indian cities such as New Delhi, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Chennai, and Mumbai.
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