Puntos Clave
• El Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath tendrá 1,164 acres y capacidad para 4.6 millones de pasajeros al año en Puri.
• La inversión estimada es de Rs 5,631 crore (unos 680 millones de dólares), con nuevas oportunidades de empleo locales.
• El proyecto destaca energías limpias, materiales ecológicos y acuerdos justos para los propietarios de tierras desplazados.
India 🇮🇳 is making a big move to improve travel and its economy by building a new airport near Puri—one of the country’s most important religious towns. With the central government giving its approval, the Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath, a greenfield airport, is set to change how people reach this holy city, support local jobs, and shape the future for Odisha. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the development is not only a story about a new building; it’s a strong message about connecting people and supporting tradition, tourism, and fair community changes.
Why the Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath Matters
The Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath is not just another transport project. It stands out because it’s being built from scratch—called a “aeropuerto greenfield”—with no old airport on that spot before. The Indian authorities have chosen Puri, a town famous for the grand Jagannath Temple, as the location. This decision is huge for millions of devotees and travelers who dream of visiting the temple. Until now, anyone traveling to Puri had to land at the airport in Bhubaneswar and then travel about 60 kilometers more by road. During large religious events, like the Rath Yatra festival, these roads become crowded, with thousands sometimes stuck for hours. Now, the aeropuerto greenfield will allow planes to land much closer, making visits smoother for everyone.
Big Steps in Building the Airport
The approval for this airport came after lots of planning and many discussions among government and aviation experts. The airport will be built in three main stages and will use around 1,164 acres of land, although about 1,500 acres in total have been set aside for the whole project. The cost is estimated to be about Rs 5,631 crore, which is roughly $680 million. That’s a large investment that shows how serious the country is about making air travel easier for Puri’s visitors.
Right now, the government is busy buying land in the villages of Sipasarubali and Sandhapur, both near Puri. Teams are talking with families whose homes or farms will be affected, making sure they get fair deals for their land and help with moving. The Odisha state government and India’s Airports Authority are working together closely. They want things to go quickly, so pilgrims and tourists can benefit sooner.
How Will the Airport Help Religious Tourism?
Puri is much more than a tourist town; for Hindus it’s as sacred as Rome is to Catholics or Mecca is to Muslims. The temple here, Jagannath, is one of just four “Char Dhams” in the country—holy sites that every devotee seeks to visit at least once. Millions travel each year to honor their faith, especially during the Rath Yatra, a famous festival where huge chariots are pulled through the city streets. This event alone brings waves of pilgrims that fill hotels and local shops.
But reaching Puri was always a slow process, making it tough for older people or international visitors who have tight travel plans. With the new Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath, people can fly directly from big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Shorter travel means more tourists—for the temple and for other local sites. Officials say that making it easier to come to Puri will put the town on the “global spiritual tourism map.” Already, reports put Puri on lists of top places to visit, along with Varanasi and Haridwar, showing its importance. Travel companies, like OYO, name it among the best Indian religious destinations.
Global numbers also show how big this trend is. Around the world, religious travel is worth about $18 billion each year, with almost 800 million people going to holy places, according to studies mentioned in government reports. Puri is already at the center of this movement, and having a nearby aeropuerto greenfield could double or even triple the number of visitors in future years.
Jobs, Local Growth, and the Economy
Some might ask: does building an airport like this only help visitors? The answer is no. It brings growth for everyone. The Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath is expected to boost the whole area’s economy, not just through more tourists but by creating many new jobs. Here’s how:
- Hospitality and Hotels: Hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants will see more guests and get more bookings, especially during festival seasons.
- Transport: Taxi drivers, bus companies, and other transport services will get much busier, helping them earn more.
- Shops and Local Businesses: With more tourists, there’ll be more people shopping for food, clothes, and souvenirs.
- Investment: Business people may decide to open new hotels, shops, or service centers, which means even more jobs.
- Training and Services: New workers will need training, so colleges and training centers will have new opportunities to help locals gain skills and find work.
Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Usha Padhi, explained that the airport is “not just a structural project”—meaning it’s not only about bricks and concrete. She called it a “forward-looking gateway,” showing how it will change the whole region by bringing in visitors from all over India and even the world. Her words send a clear signal that the Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath project is expected to spark a ripple effect—many other businesses and services will grow because of the airport.
Making Development Fair and Green
While big projects like airports often bring hope and excitement, they can also cause concern. Some people worry about how new buildings might affect the environment, and what will happen to families who have to move. The Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath’s backers say they are paying special attention to these issues.
To help the planet, the airport’s designers are using “green building” ideas. This means:
- The terminals (where people check in, wait, and board planes) will use less energy by letting in more sunlight and keeping in cool air.
- Parts of the airport will have solar panels on the roof, which turn sunshine into electricity.
- Rainwater will be collected and stored to help with watering plants or flushing toilets, a process called “rainwater harvesting.”
Experts are also checking the environment carefully before doing any digging or building, because the site is close to the coast. They want to avoid hurting local plants, animals, or waterways. This is not always easy, but authorities know people are watching, and they want the Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath to set an example for future Indian airports.
Land acquisition—the process where government buys land for projects—can be tense if families feel they’re not getting a fair deal. To avoid this, the project includes talking with the local community, offering fair compensation, and helping affected people move to good, safe places. Fair resettlement is as important as new buildings and affects how people feel about the airport in the long run.
Timeline—How Soon Will the Airport Open?
As of now, the Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath project is working through important steps. Here’s what has happened so far, and what’s next:
- September 2023: The government approved the site for the airport, saying it was a good choice.
- May 2025: The Civil Aviation Ministry gave its “in-principle approval,” the last green light needed before full construction starts.
- Current Phase: The team is now focused on acquiring land and resettling people who live there.
Once all the land is secured and cleared, building work will begin in earnest. There are three phases in total, and with the cooperation of state and central authorities, things are expected to move quickly. Officials hope the Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath can open its doors to travelers within the next few years, although they haven’t shared a final date yet.
For more details and ongoing updates, you can visit the official Ministry of Civil Aviation website, which regularly posts news about India’s major aviation projects.
Puri as a Global Spiritual Tourism Hub
With the Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath coming soon, Puri will be able to compete with other world-famous spiritual destinations. Travel agents, tour companies, and global travel guides may begin to include Puri in their top picks, bringing in more visitors from outside India 🇮🇳. Easy flights will help not just Indian pilgrims, but also non-Indian Hindus, researchers, and tourists who want to study, admire, or even film the town’s ancient traditions.
As Puri becomes easier to reach, it will likely see more diverse visitors. Some will come for the temple, while others will visit local markets, beaches, or cultural shows. This has ripple benefits for hotels, guides, performers, and local craftspeople.
How the Aeropuerto Greenfield Model Can Shape the Future
The Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath is based on what’s called a “greenfield” model—meaning everything, from runways to terminals, is being built new. This lets the designers use modern technology from the start. Because there’s no need to work around old, outdated buildings, new features—such as energy-saving systems, water recycling, and smart security—can be planned and added at every step.
This model could shape how India 🇮🇳 and other countries plan airports in the future, especially in places where tourism is vital. Officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry say that projects like this one help speed up the nation’s goal to connect smaller cities and religious hubs by air, reduce pressure on main city airports, and spread visitors and jobs more evenly across the country.
What Travelers, Residents, and Businesses Need to Know
For travelers, whether visiting for faith, business, or pleasure, the Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath promises a smoother journey to the heart of Puri. No more long car or bus rides from distant airports. Quick flights will make it easier for older pilgrims and those with special needs to attend important events.
For residents, the project brings both hope and some worry. More tourists mean more income and new jobs, but also more changes to their way of life. Protecting local culture and traditions is important, and the people leading the project say they will ensure ancient festivals and community rituals remain at the center of city life.
For business owners and investors, the aeropuerto greenfield is a sign to get ready for growth. New shops, transport services, and even medical clinics may spring up to serve increasing visitors.
A Summary of Hopes and Challenges
- The Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath is set to bring millions of new visitors to Puri.
- The new aeropuerto greenfield will help everyone reach the famous temple town faster, especially during big festivals.
- Local businesses—from hotels to shops and taxis—can expect more work and more jobs.
- The airport’s design includes solar panels, water-saving features, and community support.
- The government is promising fair treatment and new homes or compensation for families that must move.
- This project could serve as a model for future airports in India 🇮🇳, putting Puri on the world’s tourism radar.
Change is always a challenge, and big projects like this take time and care. But with fair community planning and focus on both people and the planet, the Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath looks set to turn Puri into a city where tradition and progress go hand in hand.
Aprende Hoy
Aeropuerto greenfield → Aeropuerto construido desde cero en terreno sin desarrollar previamente, usando las últimas tecnologías y diseños modernos.
Adquisición de tierras → Proceso legal por el cual el gobierno compra terrenos privados para proyectos públicos, asegurando compensación y reubicación justa.
Destino de peregrinación → Lugar visitado por razones religiosas o espirituales, que reúne grandes multitudes durante festividades.
Char Dhams → Cuatro destinos sagrados del hinduismo, entre ellos Puri, a los que todo devoto aspira a viajar al menos una vez.
Cosecha de agua de lluvia → Método de capturar y almacenar agua de lluvia para su reutilización, ayudando a la sostenibilidad y reduciendo el consumo tradicional.
Este Artículo en Resumen
El Aeropuerto Shree Jagannath revolucionará los viajes a Puri y la economía local. Este aeropuerto greenfield modernizará la conexión con la ciudad sagrada, impulsará el turismo religioso y traerá empleos. Destaca por su enfoque ecológico, inversiones récord y promesa de justo trato para la comunidad y el medio ambiente.
— Por VisaVerge.com
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