This ambitious plan of the state government to set up a greenfield airport in Puri and the proposed six-lane expressway along the coast has itself faced major environmental challenges. The execution of this project has been delayed owing to the fact that Centre’s Forest Advisory Committee had deferred its approval following serious apprehensions over the project’s prospect of impacting endangered wildlife as well as sensitive ecosystems.
Concern over Environmental Impact
A major concern related to the proposed airport location is its close proximity to sensitive wildlife habitats. This includes its location adjacent to the endangered Olive Ridley turtle’s nesting site and habitat of the critically important Irrawaddy Dolphin in the region’s biodiversity chain. As there is a massive awareness on the olive Ridley turtles which are nesting along the coast of Odisha, there is also a species under threat in this region named as the Irrawaddy Dolphin. The environmental and governments are also afraid that these projects will disturb their natural habitats and migration.
The proposed location is disturbingly close to the sensitive Brahmagiri area and the INS Chilka naval base, adding a security and ecological flavor to the concerns. Not to forget, the flyway falls in the Central Asian flyway; this would mean that bird migration would be significantly disturbed.
Detailed Environmental Assessment Requested
On November 28, the FAC acknowledged the potential serious environmental damage caused by the project. They asked the state government to conduct an exhaustive study on the habitat and the migratory routes of Olive Ridley turtles and Irrawaddy Dolphins all along Puri coast. The committee also argued that data collection needs to go on for at least one year in order for the presence of such species to be adequately feasible for judgment along with their routes before starting work on construction within the area of the proposed airport.
The issues to be raised about the FAC are issues about the proposed use of 27.88 hectares of forest land for the project that involves cutting down more than 13,000 trees. The committee has certain reservations about the presentation of the project as a holistic, integrated scheme, primarily in respect of the proposal for six-lane expressway as an independent proposal rather than forming a constituent element of the whole project. The FAC believes that the separation of these proposals is an attempt to ease the clearance process, bypassing the full environmental impact assessment.
Government’s Defense of the Project
The Odisha government has reasoned that the Puri greenfield airport is inevitable because demand for air travel in this region is increasingly growing. The nearest one is the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar; it has almost reached its saturation point; it does not have an open space available for further development within its existing premises. As indicated by the state government, the proposed Puri airport will complement BPIA and increase air connectivity into major cities such as Puri, Jagatsinghpur, and Berhampur and will help to develop connectivity between the region and overseas flight routes.
But the regional office of the environment ministry has expressed some reservations about the argument the government has put forward. They argue that Brahmagiri, where the new airport is to come up, does not have proper highway connectivity to nearby cities such as Ganjam, Khurda, or Jagatsinghpur. As per them, it would be impractical and inefficient to have the new airport at Puri.
Environmental Costs Versus Development Benefits
The fears of environmentalists as well as the regional office have underscored the stark contrast between development objectives and environmental protection. The impact will be a complete transformation in landscape, with the clearance of thousands of trees standing as natural bioshields against coastal influences such as tidal surges and cyclones. The vulnerability to extreme weather conditions further jeopardizes the case for being considered as a site for critical infrastructure development.
The environmental report also condemned the 1,400-meter boundary wall that was constructed along the coastline earlier this year without observing the guidelines of the Environment Ministry and further provoking conservationists.
Conclusion: A Complex Path Forward
The Puri greenfield airport project is in a delicate balance between economic development and environmental conservation. While the Odisha government perceives this airport as a growth trigger for the region and as a connectivity booster, it cannot afford to ignore the environmental risks the project entails. The call of the Forest Advisory Committee for more elaborative studies underscores the necessity of careful re-evaluation regarding the impact of the project on local wildlife, habitats, and the wider ecological system.
With delays in the project and so on, the government can now interact with environmental organizations for preserving the coastline around Odisha. It holds a significant position in the further progress towards sustainable development.
Refer:
Economic Times, Link to article
Also read : GMR Airports Develops AI-Powered Digital Twin Platform to Overhaul Airport Operations