In a development aimed at enhancing the infrastructure of Pune Airport, the Maharashtra state government, in collaboration with local bodies, has announced a plan to jointly raise funds for the acquisition of 35 acres required for the runway expansion. This strategic initiative was discussed in a recent review meeting led by Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol.
During the meeting, Mohol outlined the financial blueprint for the land acquisition, stating that the state government will contribute 60% of the required funds. The remaining amount will be sourced from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), with each entity providing 20%, 10%, and 10% respectively.
Mohol emphasised the critical need for the runway extension to accommodate larger aircraft, which is a pivotal aspect of Pune Airport’s expansion plan. Currently, the airport can only handle C-type aircraft, which range in size from 24 to 36 metres. The runway extension will enable the airport to accommodate D-type and E-type aircraft, which have sizes ranging from 36 to 65 metres, thus significantly enhancing the airport’s operational capacity. The review meeting, attended by key stakeholders including Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke and Pune Divisional Commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, also addressed other pressing issues such as the commencement of operations at the new terminal building.
An additional challenge that remains is obtaining permission for the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) Survey from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Mohol announced plans to meet with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to expedite this process. He intends to arrange a meeting involving Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, both Deputy Chief Ministers, and relevant officials to ensure swift action on this front.
This collaborative financial effort underscores a unified approach to addressing the infrastructural needs of Pune Airport, which is poised to become a crucial hub in the region’s air transport network. The success of this initiative will mark a significant milestone in enhancing the airport’s capabilities, ultimately benefiting both domestic and international travellers.
“We want to acquire around 35 acres of private land for the runway extension project for which the other process has almost been completed. Now the remuneration for this land needs to be given to the landowners for which we have finalised a formula,” said Mohol after attending the review meeting. “The formula is that 60% of the amount will be given by the state government, 20% by the PMC, and 10% each by the PCMC and PMRDA,” Mohol said.
