Puri: IDCO team visits proposed area for Sri Jagannath International Airport

After visiting the site, the team discussed the land acquisition with the district administration.

The district administration has identified about 1,500 acres of land most of which belongs to the government.

A small part of the site comes under the coastal regulatory zone(CRZ), sources said.

The team advised the administration to take land beyond the CRZ limits.

The team inspected places marked for installation of air traffic control tower, runway, hanger, passenger waiting place, parking place and connectivity.

District collector Samarth Verma said a map of the area is to be prepared.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to construct an international airport in Puri.

Accordingly, a team from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) visited Puri last year.

The team examined three sites and chose the one in Sipasarubali area located on the Western side of Puri.

Noted company DRS has been entrusted to conduct survey and soil tests, landing and takeoff runways, installation of other buildings and facilities that are mandatory for an International airport and prepare a plan/map of the project.

The project will commence after compliance with all parameters and a green signal from the authority, said District Collector Samarth Verma.

It is expected to be completed within two years, he said.