Pune Airport Expansion: Runway And Terminal Upgrades On Horizon
Pune Airport Expansion: Runway And Terminal Upgrades On Horizon
Significant strides are being made to address various issues at Pune Airport, including the expansion of the runway to accommodate more international flights.
To facilitate the increase in international flights, the Pune Airport runway will be extended. This expansion necessitates acquiring large tracts of land, some of which are currently privately owned while others belong to the government. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Defence, and Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) are set to convene a joint meeting to expedite this land acquisition process. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and both Deputy Chief Ministers will also be involved to ensure the runway expansion proceeds smoothly.
The estimated cost for the runway expansion is Rs 160 crore. The funding will be shared among various entities, with the state government covering 60%, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) contributing 20%, and both the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) each providing 10%.
Terminal Upgrades and Safety Enhancements
The long-awaited new terminal at Pune Airport will soon be operational. Additionally, the required Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel for passenger safety will be provided, ensuring enhanced security for all travelers.
Benefits of the Runway Expansion
Expanding the runway will allow for an increase in the number of international and larger aircraft operating from Pune Airport. Currently, the airport accommodates Boeing and Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. Post-expansion, larger aircraft such as the Dreamliner and Airbus A350 will be able to operate, potentially enabling direct international travel from Pune.
Review Meeting Insights
Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, held a review meeting on Sunday to discuss various pending works and issues at Pune Airport. He emphasized the collaborative financial effort from the state government and local bodies for the land acquisition required for the runway expansion.
Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke, Pune Divisional Commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, and senior officials from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and CISF attended the meeting. Mohol plans to meet Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh next week to secure necessary permissions for the runway expansion.
“We will also try to have an in-person or online combined meeting with Rajnath Singh, Eknath Shinde, both deputy chief ministers of Maharashtra, and officials of all the concerned authorities,” Mohol said.
Mohol highlighted the continuous follow-up required for the land acquisition process, involving state and local authorities. This collaborative approach aims to expedite the expansion and upgrade efforts, ultimately enhancing Pune Airport’s capacity and international connectivity.
