The much-awaited transformation of Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, handed over to GMR Airports Limited (GAL) in April, 2025 for the same, is yet to start. Even after the passage of 8 months, the wait continues. Highly placed sources in Delhi told ‘The Hitavada’ that GMR is ready to take over and start work at any given time, but the process is getting delayed at the State Government end. Sources in Delhi told ‘The Hitavada’ that though GMR is fully prepared to take over and start work any time, the wait continues thanks to the dilly-dallying by the Maharashtra Government. It was assumed that delay may lead to the project changing hands. But, GMR won the case in Supreme Court, with the possibility of change ruled out. The battle in court already delayed the project a bit but Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was consistently following it.

 

A well-equipped building of 3 lakh square feet will be raised under the project, which will be built at a cost of around Rs 7,000 crore. GMR Airports Limited (GAL) is expected to upgrade, develop, and operate Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport and transform the Airport into a modern aviation hub. The upgradation is set to create a state-of-the-art airport infrastructure, which will expand both passenger and cargo operations. A key objective of MIHAN has always been to position Nagpur as a cargo hub, significantly enhancing cargo handling and logistics in the region. The project was flagged off in the virtual presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024 and it was assumed that the GMR would start its operations in April 2025.

 

Then it was delayed further by a month as it did not get approval by the Union Cabinet. The land on which Nagpur airport stands belongs to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The land first was to be transferred to MIL, it wasn’t. The lease agreement was to be signed. Surprisingly, over the period of time, it was not done. To add to the problems, it came to the notice of the Central ministry that neither the MIL had the Fire NOC nor Environment Clearance (EC). All came out of deep slumber and the lease agreement was signed between AAI and MIL for 30 years, counted from 2009 when the latter came into existence. It means 16 years have already passed and now only 14 years remained. Of course, at the Ministry of Civil Aviation level, the 30-year lease was transferred to GMR from MIL. The runway recarpetting done at Nagpur airport came for some flak, but it was eventually the correct decision. Sans recarpetting of the runway, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken a decision of closure of Nanded airport. Same thing would have happened at Nagpur airport too had the runway recarpetting not been done.

 

 

After the Union Cabinet sent back the proposal of GMR from MIL pointing out some deficiencies, the Collector Dr Vipin Itankar, who is also the Chairman of MIL at Airport, swung into action. He kept following up the issue with the Central ministry. There was an issue of increasing the taxiway near Air India MRO. Most issues are cleared including procuring the necessary documents. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had assured that GMR was likely to start operations by the end of the year. It could not be done as the Central ministry kept raising minute queries. According to highly placed sources, the GMR may be able to take charge by next week or atleast the process of its taking charge of city airport may begin.