The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has advised against proceeding with plans for a new international airport in Puri, due to significant threats from migratory birds to aircraft operations. The site is near Chilika Lake, recognized as a Ramsar wetland of global significance.
The government of Odisha suggested developing the Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri because of insufficient space for runway extensions at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar.
Both the Airports Authority of India and the state government supported the initiative. The Ministry of Civil Aviation granted initial site approvals. The development was planned for 471.401 hectares in Sipasurubali village, within Brahmagiri tehsil of Puri district.
