Centre Approves Rs 1,500 Crore Kota-Bundi Airport and Rs 8,000 Crore Six-Lane Road Project in Odisha

The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on August 19, 2025, granted approval for two major infrastructure initiatives: development of a greenfield airport in Rajasthan’s Kota-Bundi region and the construction of a six-lane bypass road in Odisha, marking a crucial boost to regional connectivity and economic infrastructure.

Kota-Bundi Greenfield Airport (Rajasthan) Cost: Rs 1,507 crore

The Airports Authority of India will fund the new greenfield airport entirely through its internal boost. The Rajasthan government has already transferred approximately 440.06 hectares of land to the Airports Authority of India for the project.

The proposed airport will feature a spacious 20,000 sqm terminal, designed to handle up to 1,000 peak-hour passengers and accommodate 2 million passengers per year. The airfield will include a runway (11/29), an apron with seven parking bays for A-321 aircraft, two link taxiways, an ATC cum technical block, a fire station, a car park, and related auxiliary infrastructure.

This development addresses the escalating demand for air travel in the Kota region, known for its thriving educational institutions and industrial base.

Bhubaneswar Bypass (Odisha) Cost: Rs 8,307.74 crore

The Cabinet approved the construction of a 110.875-kilometre six-lane access-controlled ring road, colloquially known as the Bhubaneswar Bypass. The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion along the heavily used Rameshwar–Tangi stretch, passing through Khordha, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack.

This bypass is expected to broadly enhance freight and logistics efficiency by diverting heavy commercial traffic away from dense urban centres. The Centre noted that the infrastructure will foster regional economic growth by improving connectivity between major religious and economic hubs, stimulating trade and industrial development.

Wider Consequences

The twin approvals underline the government’s focus on enhancing regional infrastructure to unlock economic potential and ensure smoother mobility. The Kota-Bundi airport promises to streamline air travel for students and businesses, while the Odisha bypass is poised to transform logistics and urban commuting in the eastern corridor.

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