Several major business conglomerates are vying for the opportunity to develop the proposed international airport in Puri.
· Adani Group, renowned for its significant presence in airport operations across various Indian cities, expressed keen interest in spearheading the development of the Puri airport.
· The envisioned Sri Jagannath International Airport is slated to have a phase-1 capacity to handle 4.6 million passengers annually.
· The project is earmarked for development in three phases, with an estimated initial investment of Rs 5,631 crore.
· Spanning an area of approximately 1,164 acres, the airport site includes parcels of forest and private land in Sipasarubali and Sandhapur areas under the Brahmagiri tehsil.
· A portion of the designated land will be allocated for a multi-modal hub, equipped with modern recreational amenities.
· The construction timeline for the Puri airport aims for completion within three years.
Several major business conglomerates, including the Adani Group, GMR Group, and Fairfax India Holdings Corporation, are vying for the opportunity to develop the proposed international airport in Puri. These industry giants emerged as the top contenders during the second-round discussions held at the pre-bid meeting on Friday.
Adani Group, renowned for its significant presence in airport operations across various Indian cities such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur, expressed keen interest in spearheading the development of the Puri airport. Alongside Adani, representatives from GMR Group and Fairfax India Holdings Corporation, which already hold stakes in airports like Bengaluru International Airport and facilities in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Goa, also participated actively in the pre-bid discussions.
The pre-bid meeting, conducted after nearly two months since the initial global bid invitation by the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco), focused on addressing crucial aspects of the project. Discussions encompassed topics ranging from land acquisition status to regulatory approvals and future expansion plans.
Spanning an area of approximately 1,164 acres, the airport site includes parcels of forest and private land in Sipasarubali and Sandhapur areas under the Brahmagiri tehsil. The land acquisition process for these areas, which has already commenced, aims to facilitate the ambitious airport project.
A portion of the designated land will be allocated for a multi-modal hub, equipped with modern recreational amenities, while IDCO plans to construct a four-lane access road connecting the airport to the existing national highway. Additionally, over 1,000 acres have been earmarked for future expansion endeavors.
The construction timeline for the Puri airport aims for completion within three years, signalling a significant infrastructural development for the region. Despite attempts to reach out to the bidding companies for comments, their responses were not forthcoming, indicating the competitive nature of the bidding process and the strategic importance attached to this high-profile project.
(With inputs from agencies)
