To

The Hon’ble Chief Minister

Government of Odisha

Subject – Request to rename “Biju Patnaik International Airport” as “Shree Jagannath International Airport”

Shree Jagannath is the epicentre of Odia identity. For us, the people of Odisha, Mahaprabhu Jagannath is not only a God but also is the core of our culture, our customs, and our traditions. Odisha is incomplete without Mahaprabhu Jagannath. In outside of the state Odisha is more known as Shri Gannath Dham than in the name of Odisha and we are proud for that.

Shre Jagannath Temple is one of the Dhamas out of four most important Dhama of Sanatan Culture. Shree Jagannath Puri Temple is one of the most impressing monuments of the world. There are so many festivals of Sri Jagannath during the year observed in Puri. The most important festival is the World famous Rath Yatra & Bahuda Yatra. A large crowd is gathered in Odisha to witness Lord Jagannath during this festival.

Recently Odisha Govt has given a proposal to the Govt of India for a new international airport at Puri. But due to technical and commercial point of view this proposal looks like nonsensical. Within 60 KM two international airports is not a healthy suggestion. Either you have to shut down the Bhubaneswar existing airport or have convert this to a non-international airport, then only, plan for a international airport at Puri will be successful. Secondly Odisha attracts only 1 Lakh foreign tourists on a year which is only mere 1.3% of the total foreign tourists to India. Even a small union territory like Puduchhery attracts more foreign tourists than Odisha. Puducherry does not have any international airport. So Odisha needs improvement in tourism infrastructures first then only we can demands for two international airports.

So we are demanding to you for recommending to the Centre that the “Biju Patnaik International Airport” in the state be rename as "Shree Jagannath International Airport". This is our first demand. Our second demand is to built a 2 way super highway from Bhubaneswar Airport to Puri via Sundarapada-Dhauli-Pipili. If this road functions then pilgrims and tourists can reach Puri within 30 minutes by avoiding the busy city areas.

Thanks

Anil Biswal

Shree Jagannath Sanskruti Surakhya Parishad