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Plans for a greenfield airport in Puri, Odisha, have encountered significant environmental and logistical hurdles, with the Centre's Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) deferring approval due to concerns over ecological impacts and defense considerations. The proposed airport at Brahmagiri near Puri is situated close to critical habitats, including nesting sites of endangered Olive Ridley turtles and the habitat of the threatened Irrawaddy dolphin. Additionally, the region's sensitive coastal ecology, proximity to the INS Chilka naval base, and its location on the Central Asian flyway for migratory birds have raised red flags. At a meeting on November 28, the FAC emphasised the need for a detailed study on the habitat and migration patterns of Olive Ridley turtles and Irrawaddy dolphins along the Puri coast. It recommended a year-long assessment followed by an action plan for their protection. The Odisha government has requested clearance to use 27.88 hectares of forest land as part of the project, which spans over 471 hectares and involves cutting down more than 13,000 trees. However, the Union environment ministry's regional office in Bhubaneswar has criticised the proposal for being fragmented. While the airport plan has been submitted separately, it is integrally linked to a proposed six-lane coastal expressway connecting Bhubaneswar to the Puri site. The regional office alleged that splitting the project into smaller parts could be an attempt to secure easier clearances, a concern echoed by the deputy director general of forests in his site inspection report. Odisha has argued that the nearest airport, Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPI) in Bhubaneswar, is expected to reach capacity within the next decade, with no room for expansion. The government believes a new greenfield airport in Puri would complement BPI, enhance air connectivity, and integrate cities like Puri, Jagatsinghpur, and Berhampur into global aviation networks. The regional office countered this claim, stating that Brahmagiri lacks direct highway connectivity to key cities like Ganjam, Khurda, and Jagatsinghpur. It suggested exploring alternative locations for airport expansion with better connectivity, such as Jagatsinghpur or Berhampur, to avoid significant environmental damage. Concerns were also raised about the project's exposure to natural risks like cyclones and tidal influences. A prior issue involving a 1,400-meter boundary wall built near the shoreline further drew criticism from the green ministry earlier this year. The FAC's decision to defer approval underscores the need for more comprehensive environmental and logistical evaluations. The state government must address these concerns while balancing developmental aspirations with ecological preservation. (ET)