News Brief
Kota And Puri Get In-Principle Approval For Greenfield Airports, Boosting Connectivity To Education And Pilgrimage Hubs
Airport runway (representative image)
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted in-principle approval for the establishment of Greenfield airports in Kota in Rajasthan and Puri in Odisha.
The announcement was made by Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu on 5 May, under the broader vision of expanding aviation infrastructure across India as championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The approval for Kota Airport marks the culmination of persistent efforts by Shri Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha and MP from Kota-Bundi.
"Kota Airport, a long-awaited development is a result of consistent efforts by Shri Om Birla, Speaker of Lok Sabha and MP from Kota-Bundi, who has been actively pursuing the realisation of an airport for Kota," the press release noted.
The proposed airport is expected to serve not only Kota city, renowned as an educational and industrial hub, but also the wider Hadoti region, which has seen growing economic activity.
The press note also highlighted the decision to establish a Greenfield airport in Puri, one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations.
"Puri, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India and home to Lord Jagannath, attracts millions of devotees and tourists," the statement read.
The airport will dramatically improve accessibility to the temple town, giving a significant push to religious tourism and local development.
"This decision marks an important milestone for Puri and Odisha and is in line with the Government’s commitment to strengthening last-mile air connectivity and making air travel accessible to all," the release added.
