The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted in-principle approval for the development of greenfield airports in Kota, Rajasthan, and Puri, Odisha. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu made the announcement on 05 May, 2025, aligning with the broader vision of expanding India’s aviation infrastructure under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

The Kota greenfield airport approval represents a long-standing demand from the region and is attributed to the sustained advocacy of Shri Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Member of Parliament from Kota-Bundi. Kota, widely recognised as an educational and industrial powerhouse, also serves as the heart of the Hadoti region, which is witnessing rising economic activity. The proposed airport is expected to significantly boost regional growth by improving connectivity to major Indian cities and international destinations.

Known as a vital religious destination and home to the revered Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri draws millions of pilgrims and tourists annually.  The proposed Puri airport is expected to vastly improve accessibility to the coastal temple town, giving a major impetus to religious tourism and regional development. The Civil Aviation Ministry emphasised that the project would be a key enabler in achieving last-mile air connectivity.