CM Fadnavis Directs Pune Collector to Fast-Track Land Acquisition for Purandar Airport; Shirdi Airport To Be Operational Ahead of Kumbh Mela
Mumbai, 17th July 2025: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to expedite renovation and expansion work at Shirdi Airport, emphasizing its strategic importance ahead of the upcoming Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela. He also reviewed the progress of the proposed Purandar airport near Pune and instructed officials to initiate the land acquisition process immediately.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at Vidhan Bhavan, CM Fadnavis said that Shirdi Airport should function at full capacity in time for the religious gathering, and that infrastructure upgrades—including a new air traffic control (ATC) building, integrated cargo facility, and terminal building—must be completed without delay.
“If needed, additional manpower should be deployed to speed up construction. Procurement and structural design processes must be finalized in the coming weeks,” he instructed.
The Chief Minister further highlighted the potential for Shirdi Airport to serve as a parking hub for small aircraft, considering its proximity to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports. He asked authorities to explore additional land acquisition to accommodate future needs.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department Sanjay Sethi, MIDC CEO P. Velrasu, Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi, Ahilyanagar District Collector Dr. Pankaj Asia, MADC Vice Chairperson and Managing Director Swati Pandey, and Chief Finance Officer Anisha Godani, among others.
On the Purandar Airport project, CM Fadnavis noted that the preliminary survey has been completed and instructed the Pune District Collector to begin the land acquisition process immediately. “The development of Purandar Airport will significantly boost Maharashtra’s air connectivity network,” he said.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar also stressed the urgency of the project, stating, “Work on Purandar Airport must begin soon. It should have the capacity to handle large aircraft, and provision should be made for hangars as well.”
Swati Pandey, Vice Chairperson of the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), presented updates on both airports. Representatives of the consulting and contractor firms involved in Shirdi Airport’s development also shared details of ongoing works.
