Puri, renowned for the Jagannath Temple and seaside heritage, is on the edge of a transformation, marked by the Shree Jagannath International Airport and an upgradation from a municipality to a municipal corporation. Both of these developments promise to elevate local livelihoods, tourism, infrastructure, and Odisha’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
Shree Jagannath International Airport: Global Pilgrimage Gateway
Puri’s Ascent: International Airport & Municipal Corporation Status to Trigger Economic Boom
Puri, renowned for the Jagannath Temple and seaside heritage, is on the edge of a transformation which is marked by the Shree Jagannath International Airport and an upgrade from a municipality to a municipal corporation. Both of these developments are very promising to elevate its local livelihoods, tourism, infrastructure, and Odisha’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
Shree Jagannath International Airport: Global Pilgrimage Gateway
- The greenfield airport, allocated 1,164 acres near Sipasarubali and Sandhapur in Brahmagiri tehsil, received central approval in May 2025 at an estimated cost of ₹5,631 crore.
- Upon phased completion, it will serve 4.6 million passengers annually, with an 11,975‑ft runway capable of handling wide‑body international flights.
- A six-lane expressway will link it with Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), reducing travel time to just 30 minutes.
- This emerges amid data showing Puri’s heavy dependency on tourism, around 80% of its economy stems from pilgrimage and temple-related activity, drawing 4–5 lakh visitors annually during Rath Yatra alone.
Impact:
- Direct connectivity to international markets could boost foreign tourist numbers
- Decreased reliance on BPIA (which handles over 4.6 million passengers annually)
- Catalyse expansion in hospitality, transport, retail, and religious tourism
Municipal Corporation Status: A Civic Transformation
- On 5 July 2025, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced Puri’s upgradation to municipal corporation from municipality, joining five cities: Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, and Rourkela.
- The new corporation will encompass Puri town plus 7–8 gram panchayats from surrounding blocks.
- This upgrade will increase funding under central schemes like AMRUT and HRIDAY, thus enabling multi‑sector infrastructure upgrades.
Benefits:
- Improved waste management, potable water, stormwater drainage, street lighting, and public transit
- Better planning and urban governance – vital during peak festival times when hundreds of thousands crowd the town daily
- Elevated civic standards expected to benefit both tourists and about its 200,000 residents
📈 Economic Multiplier: Jobs, Investment, GSDP Growth
Tourism & Hospitality:
With ~80% local economic reliance on pilgrimage, airport-driven influx will bolster hotel stays, restaurants, local artisans, and retail. Sipasarubali beach area already hosts 50+ hotels, hinting at higher accommodation demand in future.
Real Estate & Infrastructure:
Airport and municipal growth will trigger real estate projects like residential, commercial, logistics. Infrastructure schemes worth crores expected under urban upgrade its stormwater drains, lighting, roads.
Employment & Local Enterprise:
Greenfield airport construction involves multi-phase jobs, including priority for local youth. SME sectors—seafood, Pipli art, handloom, sand art etc. will benefit from improved logistics, branding, and distribution.
GSDP Contribution:
Odisha targets ₹15 lakh crore GSDP by 2030. These two major upgrades in Puri perfectly reflect Odisha’s push to urbanize its cities from 17% to 40% by 2036. As Puri transitions into a national spiritual & tourist hub, its economic impact will significantly increase the state’s service and tourism GDP share.
🧑🤝🧑 Quality of Life & Governance Gains
Puri’s municipal upgrade ensures better public services, civic responsiveness, and disaster preparedness. New museum and library plans support cultural preservation and community vibrancy. Inclusive urban growth will extend to newly integrated rural areas, expanding modern amenities for a broader population.
🎯 Conclusion
The ushering in of Shree Jagannath International Airport and Puri’s elevation to a municipal corporation represent coordinated steps toward sustainable and inclusive growth. By bolstering global connectivity, civic infrastructure, and economic opportunity, these developments promise to transform Puri—not only lifting its residents’ living standards but also reinforcing Odisha’s trajectory toward becoming an economic powerhouse with rising GSDP and urban prominence.
- Upon phased completion, it will serve 4.6 million passengers annually, with an 11,975‑ft runway capable of handling wide‑body international flights.
- A six-lane expressway will link it with Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), reducing travel time to just 30 minutes.
- This emerges amid data showing Puri’s heavy dependency on tourism, around 80% of its economy stems from pilgrimage and temple-related activity, drawing 4–5 lakh visitors annually during Rath Yatra alone.
