Pune: Murlidhar Mohol Takes Stock of Situation at Pune Airport, Announces Many New Developments
Murlidhar Mohol recently reviewed the situation at Pune airport.
Pune’s newly elected MP, Murlidhar Mohol, who recently assumed responsibilities as Minister of State (MoS) for Cooperation and Civil Aviation, has announced significant updates regarding Pune Airport. In a review meeting that included various discussions related to Pune Airport, MoS Mohol emphasized the necessity to expand the airport’s infrastructure to meet the increasing demand.
Expansion of Pune Airport Runway
Mohol announced that the existing runway at Pune Airport will be expanded, necessitating the acquisition of 35 acres of land. The funding for this acquisition will be jointly raised by the Maharashtra State Government, which will contribute 60%, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) 20%, and both Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) 10% each. The expected cost for this expansion is around Rs. 160 crores.
Land acquisition will involve both private and government-owned land, including Air Force and private properties. A joint meeting of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Defence (MoD), and Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) will be held to facilitate the land acquisition process. The Chief Minister and both Deputy Chief Ministers will be engaged to expedite the runway expansion project.
Mohol assured that the remuneration formula for landowners has been finalized and that the acquisition process would commence shortly. The expansion will increase the number of international and larger aircraft, such as Dreamliner and Airbus 350, that can operate from Pune, leading to direct international travel and increased passenger capacity.
New Terminal at Pune Airport
The new terminal at Pune Airport, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024, remains non-operational due to delayed regulatory approvals and a shortage of security personnel. MoS Mohol addressed these issues, stating, “We have inspected the new terminal. It requires personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Discussions regarding this have taken place with the Home Minister of India, Amit Shah. He will make a decision soon. Once adequate manpower is in place, the terminal can begin operations swiftly.” The new terminal, once operational, will have the capacity to accommodate 9 million passengers annually.
International Connectivity Boost
To improve international connectivity, MoS Mohol announced plans for increasing the number of international flights from Pune Airport. This move aims to reduce the dependency on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, which is over 160 kilometers away. Pune citizens have long faced challenges due to infrequent flights and a lack of international connections.
Updates on Purandar Airport
Mohol also provided updates on the proposed international airport in Pune’s Purandar Taluka. He disclosed that the site has secured approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for construction. The next phase involves land acquisition, with actions already initiated by the Maharashtra State Government.
Navi Mumbai Airport
In addition to the developments at Pune Airport, Mohol shared that the D. B. Patil International Airport in Navi Mumbai is scheduled to become operational in March 2025. This is expected to significantly reduce travel time for Punekars compared to the current travel time to Mumbai Airport.
Addressing Current Challenges
During the review meeting, Mohol acknowledged recent flight delays caused by a damaged aircraft parked at Pune Airport. The aircraft, which collided with a luggage tractor trolley, has been awaiting repairs for over 25 days. Mohol stated that he has approached the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to allow the damaged aircraft to be temporarily moved to defence land near the airport to alleviate the inconvenience to passengers and day-to-day operations.
Conclusion
The meeting was attended by Pune Airport director Santosh Dhoke, Pune divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, and several senior officials from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). MoS Murlidhar Mohol assured that efforts are being made to resolve longstanding issues at Pune Airport and improve its infrastructure and connectivity for the benefit of Pune’s residents.
