Naveen Writes to PM Modi, Proposes Setting Up International Airport in Puri in Name Lord Jagannath

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to consider the proposal for establishment of an international airport in Puri in the name of Sri Jagannath International Airport.

The State government has identified land at Puri for the proposed airport and will proactively support all the activities required for establishing the airport in a record time, the Odisha CM said.

He requested the Prime Minister to ask the Ministry of Civil Aviation to take up this airport as a priority project.

Highlighting the significance of Puri, Naveen said the Holy city of Puri, abode of Lord Jagannath, is among the Char Dhams of Hindu Dharma. Hindus, from all over the World, visit Sri Jagannath Temple at Puri.

The Sun Temple of Konark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just 35 kms away from Puri and along with the adjacent. Ramachandi-Chandrabhaga beaches provides a unique experience to national and international tourists.

Puri is organically linked to two Ramsar Sites – Chilka Lake (India’s first Ramsar site and UNESCO World Heritage site) on one side and Bhitarkanika National Park on other side. Both these locations have huge potential for intemational eco-tourism, Naveen mentioned in the letter.

Puri beach has been recently transformed into a Blue Flag beach with world-class experience for the tourists. Most of the historic Buddhist Heritage sites like Dhauli, Ratnagiri, ete., with travel time within 3 hours from Puri, attract Buddhist Pilgrims from across the World. The long coastline and adjoining bay area near Puri are an ideal location for promoting new world cconomic activities, leisure and hospitality, health and spiritual centres.

The Coastal Highway passes through this area and connects the Paradeep Port (114 km away) and the greentield Astarang Port (60km away).
There is great potential for economic synergy along the entire corridor. We believe that Puri has potential to become a hub for spiritual, tourism and economic activities.

The Rath Yatra of Puri is a world-famous annual event attracting lakhs of pilgrims and visitors from across the world. The holy Rath Yatra is celebrated across 192 countries.

The proposed airport will help bring Jagannath devotees from across the world to Puri and will help promote Jagannath culture across the world, the Chief Minister emphasized.