Bhubaneswar: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) was directed to conduct a prefeasibility study for establishment of an international airport at Puri. Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri made the announcement in Rajya Sabha Wednesday.
In a reply to a question by RS member Sujeet Kumar, the Union minister said a meeting was taken up by Civil Aviation secretary last January 12 with the officials of state government, Airports Authority of India and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
During the meeting, AAI was asked to carry out a prefeasibility study of the site based on the data provided by the state government.
January 1, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to establish an international airport at Puri for which the state government has identified land close to Puri town.
The state government would extend all possible assistance for establishing the airport in record time, he had said. He had also proposed that the international airport be named Sri Jagannath International Airport.
The holy city of Puri, also known to be the abode of Lord Jagannath, is one among the Char Dhams, and Hindus from across the globe visit the temple every year. The Rath Yatra is a world-famous annual event attracting lakhs of pilgrims and visitors.
PNN