Centre grants in-principle nod for greenfield airports in Kota and Puri

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday granted in-principle approval to set up greenfield airports in Kota (Rajasthan) and Puri (Odisha).

Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu granted the approvals as part of the government’s push to expand aviation infrastructure and enhance regional air connectivity.

The proposed airport in Kota, an educational and industrial hub, has been a long-pending demand and will also serve the larger Hadoti region.

Kota is the parliamentary constituency of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

The ministry said the approval was the result of sustained efforts by Om Birla, who had been actively pursuing the proposal.

"The proposed airport will not only serve Kota city, known as a major educational and industrial hub, but will also cater to the growing population and economic activity in the Hadoti region. With its establishment, Kota will be able to be major destinations within India and internationally," a government release said.

In Odisha, the new airport will come up in Puri, one of India’s most prominent pilgrimage centres, known for the Jagannath Temple and its annual Rath Yatra, which draws millions of devotees.

The ministry said the airport in Puri will provide a major boost to religious tourism, regional development, and overall connectivity in the region. The airport will be able to enhance the direct connectivity between Puri and major metropolitan cities in India.

"This decision marks a 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 statement added.