Central Government Cabinet sent back the note regarding taking over of operations at city’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport by GMR Airports Limited (GAL) with multiple queries. The long-anticipated transformation of the airport by GMR is already delayed. GMR was to take charge of development work from April 2025. Now it is mid-August and any development regarding it is still not in sight. Highly placed sources in Delhi told ‘The Hitavada’ that the preparedness of GMR to take over and start work at any given time is high. The sources further revealed that the delay is being done on the part of Maharashtra Government.

 

According to an officer who, on condition of anonymity, told ‘The Hitavada’, “The note was sent by Maharashtra Government to the Central Cabinet. Till the Cabinet gives approval, GMR can’t start its procedure. Unfortunately, Cabinet pointed out certain deficiencies which it posted and sent the note back to Maharashtra Government. Now, State Government is working on removing the loopholes and to be sent to the Cabinet again.” The officer refused to reveal the loopholes. The doubt that whether Government is in a mood to transfer the project to some other big company can’t be ruled out, said a source. The battle in court already delayed the project by some time but Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was consistently following it.

 

A well-equipped building of 3 lakh square feet will be raised in this project, to be built at a cost of around Rs 7,000 crore. GMR is expected to upgrade, develop, and operate Nagpur Airport and transform it into a modern aviation hub with advanced facilities. 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. GMR Airports will lead the transformation of city airport into a world-class facility. The first phase of this transformation includes enhancing the passenger terminal capacity to 4 million passengers annually.

 

This ambitious project will also involve upgrading existing infrastructure, building a modern cargo terminal, and improving airside facilities with a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower. GMR Nagpur International Airport (GNIAL, a 100% subsidiary of GAL) and MIHAN India executed the concession agreement for the project. This transformation is set to not only enhance connectivity within the Vidarbha region but also strengthen its economic infrastructure. GAL’s commitment to modernising and expanding the airport includes a significant boost in cargo handling capabilities – increasing the capacity to 20,000 metric tons, said an official on condition of anonymity. The role of MIHAN India Limited, running Nagpur airport is to monitor the work progress of GMR. Considering its significance, Government has given this responsibility on the shoulders of District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar who is Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Airport (MIL). Dr Itankar told ‘The Hitavada’ that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had asked to speed up the work and accordingly the administration is working. Dr Itankar said, “The procedure takes a little time which includes land acquisition and handing over the airport removing all hurdles.”