Ensure land for second airport in Bhubaneswar: Puri

New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Wednesday said the Odisha government should ensure land for the proposed new international airport to be set up near Bhubaneswar.

“Three sites have been identified by the concerned authorities. But the Airport Authority of India (AAI) found them to be inadequate. The fourth site is under discussion,” said Puri while responding to queries during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha.

He said there has been a 25 per cent growth in the number of air passengers at Bhubaneswar airport, while 24 per cent growth in cargo and 30 per cent growth in the number of flights.

He said the Centre does not construct greenfield airports within 150 km in a state.

However, since the existing airport does not have the capacity, the Centre is willing to cooperate and provide infrastructure if the state government provides the required land.

Puri said the Centre is willing to cooperate with the state government to address infrastructure gaps at the Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda.