Mumbai, Aug 30 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday directed the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) to complete the Purandar International Airport project within the stipulated timeframe, while also ordering urgent upgradation of facilities at Shirdi International Airport ahead of the Kumbh Mela 2027.
Speaking at the 93rd meeting of MADC’s Board of Directors, Fadnavis said the joint venture for Purandar Airport, comprising CIDCO, MIDC and PMRDA, must accelerate work, noting that HUDCO has sanctioned a loan of Rs 6,000 crore for the project.
He instructed officials to complete the taxiway, apron, Air Cargo Complex and other facilities at Shirdi Airport, citing the expected surge in domestic and international devotees and chartered flights during the Kumbh Mela.
MADC is currently developing seven airports across the state, including Nanded, Nashik, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Sindhudurg, Gondia and Amravati, with Ratnagiri Airport nearing completion. A provision of Rs 64 crore has been made for Baramati Airport modernisation, Rs 38 crore for Latur Airport, and runway extension work is underway at Karad Airport to enable night-landing.
Plans include a flying club at Chandrapur and airport developments in Dharashiv and Yavatmal. A new passenger terminal will be built at Nanded Airport, where nine flights currently operate, with direct services to Chandigarh and Amritsar under consideration.
Fadnavis said MADC is also driving projects at Nagpur’s MIHAN hub, including a proposal for a hospital modelled on AIIMS through the Indian Institute of Public Health. Site selection for a new airport in Gadchiroli is in progress, while Amravati Airport will soon host a Flight Training School with DGCA inspections for night-landing facilities.
Funds under the UDAN scheme have been allocated for Solapur’s Hotgi Airport, with plans to start Mumbai–Solapur flights. Discussions were also held on launching seaplane services at Pawna, Koradi, Gangapur, Ratnagiri and Ganpatipule.
Officials said passenger traffic is expected to rise sharply by 2035, requiring major infrastructure expansion. Work at Ratnagiri Airport is nearly complete, with Coast Guard clearances being processed to make it operational.
–IANS
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