Odisha govt moves AAI to participate in bidding for Puri airport construction

IN a significant development, the Odisha government has decided to approach the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to participate in the bidding process for construction of the Shree Jagannath International Airport at Puri.

- HEMANT KUMAR ROUT @ Bhubaneswar

Sources said, a high-level delegation of officials comprising chief secretary Manoj Ahuja and principal secretary of Commerce and Transport department Usha Padhee met officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation last week and discussed the proposed airports in the state including Puri.

"The Transport department will coordinate with the AAI for their participation in the re-bidding. The state government will explore further action under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, if required, based on AAI's response," a senior official confirmed.