Odisha Hotel and Restaurant Association Proposes Puri Airport and World-Class Theme Parks

A Greenfield airport site near Sipasarubali (Samuka) Beach in Puri has been identified alongside a proposed world-class mega theme park, a combination that would create new air–ground transfer corridors between Bhubaneswar, Puri and regional hubs and increase seasonal passenger throughput on existing routes.

Project proposals and exact locations

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha (HRAO) has put forward two parallel infrastructure proposals: a large-scale integrated entertainment destination inspired by The Walt Disney Company and Universal Studios, and a new Greenfield airport at Puri where land is already marked for development. Officials at the association recommend Sipasarubali (Samuka) Beach as the preferred site for tourism development, noting proximity to the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple and existing coastal access.

Stakeholders and political support

State leaders and Parliament members, including Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, MP Sambit Patra, MLA Sunil Mahanty, and HRAO chairman J K Mohanty, attended the association’s 40th annual meeting. The group proposed a study-tour delegation to the United States to engage potential partners and suggested leveraging central–state cooperation to secure a strategic MoU for a transformational tourism project.

Operational impacts on hospitality and transfers

At a glance, the combined theme park and airport is expected to generate high-value tourism that will ripple across transport and local hospitality sectors. Key immediate impacts for transfer services and taxis include:

• Higher peak-season demand for intercity taxis and private transfers between Bhubaneswar and Puri.
• Increased need for pre-booked airport transfer services, staged pickups, and dedicated shuttle lanes.
• Opportunities for local drivers and fleet companies to offer diversified services (limousine, multi-seater, private seater).

Infrastructure safeguards and cultural concerns

The association explicitly recommended strict safeguards for the structural safety and sanctity of the Shree Jagannath Temple when planning the airport and tourism precinct. Any airport approach paths and construction must be assessed to avoid vibrations or visual impacts on the 12th-century shrine.

Economic projections and service demand

Recommended operational measures

To align development with transport realities, planners should consider:

1. Extending the Mahaparinirvan Express service from New Delhi to Bodh Gaya onward to Puri to tap Buddhist tourist flows.
2. Designing dedicated taxi stands, pre-book zones, and caravan tourism parking areas near the park and airport.
3. Coordinating with ride-hailing and private transfer companies to provide transparent fares, vehicle choices, and licensed drivers.

How this affects taxi and transfer operators

Operators will need to adapt fleets and pricing models—more multi-seater vans for group transfers, luxury options for high-value visitors, and cheap but reliable shuttle services for mass arrivals. Licensing requirements, vehicle insurance, and driver training will become focal points as demand grows.

Highlights: the proposal combines coastal leisure, pilgrimage traffic, and international-style entertainment in one destination, presenting a unique chance for Odisha to capture higher-value tourism. While official forecasts don’t indicate an immediate global shift in the tourism map, the projects could reposition eastern India as a rising destination for curated experiences. Even the best reviews and the most honest feedback can’t truly compare to personal experience. On LocalsRide, you can hire a car with driver from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. Readers benefit from the convenience, affordability, extensive vehicle choices, and wide range of additional options provided by LocalsRide.com, aligning directly with the context and theme of this article. Book your Ride LocalsRide.com

In summary, a Puri Greenfield airport paired with a world-class theme park could materially change how visitors reach this city, raising demand for reliable airport transfers, private cars, and local taxis while offering new revenue streams for driver companies and limousine services. Stakeholders should plan exact siting, protective measures for heritage sites, and clear service standards—fares, licenses, and vehicle types—to ensure smooth operations. For travelers and planners alike, tools that show vehicle make, model, driver rating and exact prices in advance make it easier to get the right car, seat and service at the right time. LocalsRide supports this shift by offering a transparent, global platform to book private transfers, airport rides, and city cabs, helping users see fares, compare prices, and book a licensed driver or limousine with confidence.