Purandar Airport Project: Everything You Need to Know

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The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted essential clearances for the development of the highly anticipated international airport at Purandar, Pune, as announced by Murlidhar Mohol, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation (MoS). These approvals, received in May 2024 (MoD) and recently (DGCA), resolve almost all technical issues that had previously stalled the project.

MoS Mohol emphasized that the immediate next step is land acquisition. This process will require collaboration between the Airports Authority of India (AAI), DGCA, and the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) to ensure smooth execution.

Positive Developments Streamline Operations at Existing Pune Airport

MoS Mohol also shared encouraging news regarding the current Pune airport. He confirmed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has approved the Central Industrial Security Force’s (CISF) proposal to allocate 241 personnel for the new terminal building. This approval resolves a significant bottleneck, allowing the new terminal to become operational swiftly.

Additionally, MoS Mohol announced plans to expand the existing runway at Pune airport to accommodate larger aircraft, enhancing the airport’s capacity and range. This expansion will require the acquisition of approximately 35 acres of land. Funding for this acquisition is expected to come from a collaborative effort involving the state government, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), and the municipal corporations of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

In conclusion, these developments represent significant progress for both the new Purandar airport and the expansion of the existing Pune airport. The coming months will likely focus on land acquisition initiatives for both projects, paving the way for a more robust and efficient aviation infrastructure in Pune.