The Maharashtra government has sanctioned a Rs 6,000 crore fundraising initiative to advance the proposed greenfield international airport at Purandar, near Pune. This financial mobilisation will be executed through a state-backed Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), jointly managed by the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), and the City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). State guarantees are expected to underpin the debt, ensuring investment security and strengthening fiscal confidence for the project.
The SPV mechanism, confirmed by senior state officials, is designed to streamline financing, centralise risk management, and accelerate the airport’s development timeline. Land acquisition for approximately 1,216 hectares across seven villages has been formally approved, with authorities targeting completion by 2026. Government sources indicate that a majority of landholders have consented to transfer their property for the infrastructure project, reflecting early progress in civic engagement and stakeholder management. Analysts note that the Purandar airport is positioned as a critical infrastructure addition for western India, enhancing regional connectivity while supporting Pune’s expanding commercial and industrial landscape. The airport is expected to relieve operational pressure on the existing Pune International Airport and enable a phased increase in passenger and cargo handling capacity. By incorporating modern, sustainable design principles, the project also presents an opportunity to integrate climate-resilient planning, low-carbon operations, and inclusive passenger facilities.
Alongside the airport, the state government announced plans for an industrial estate near Indapur, entailing a transfer of 1,000 acres to MIDC. Urban planners suggest that co-locating industrial infrastructure near the airport could create synergies in logistics, supply chain management, and employment generation. These developments align with Maharashtra’s broader urbanisation strategy, including the “Third Mumbai” initiative, which aims to enhance metropolitan connectivity through new nodes in the Shivdi-Atal Setu-Nhava Sheva corridor. The Maharashtra state cabinet has also greenlit a separate Rs 15,000 crore loan programme through the Water Resources Department, intended to complete 57 pending irrigation projects and 193 canal distribution systems over the next two years. Senior officials indicate that coordinated planning across infrastructure sectors—aviation, industrial estates, and water management—supports both economic growth and sustainable resource management in the region.
Experts emphasise that while financial structuring via the SPV is a crucial step, timely execution of land acquisition, adherence to environmental clearances, and robust project governance will determine the airport’s operational viability. Civil engineers and urban development specialists stress the importance of integrating multimodal connectivity, renewable energy usage, and resilient flood management into the airport’s design to future-proof it against climate and operational risks. The Purandar airport project, once operational, is expected to not only transform Pune’s aerial connectivity but also catalyse regional economic activity, stimulate industrial growth, and set a benchmark for sustainable airport development in India. Careful alignment of financing, environmental stewardship, and community engagement remains critical for the project’s long-term success.
Maharashtra Approves Rs 6000 Crore For Pune Airport
