The Purandar airport project has moved to its next preparatory phase, with the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) beginning the process of appointing a consultant for surveys, feasibility studies and preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) for Pune’s proposed Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje International Airport.
MADC vice-chairman and managing director Deepak Kapoor announced the development on X, stating that work on the project was progressing and that the consultant appointment process had begun. The consultant will be responsible for conducting the technical surveys needed for the DPR, supporting the technical and financial feasibility study, and managing the tendering process until the construction tender is issued, according to MADC.
The proposed airport is planned across seven villages in Purandar taluka: Pargaon, Kumbharvalan, Vanpuri, Ekhathpur, Udachiwadi, Munjwadi and Khanwadi. The land acquisition process is underway, while MADC has already completed a feasibility assessment of land across the identified villages.
The next stage will involve detailed engineering surveys and technical studies before the final DPR can be prepared. The proposed work includes topographical, geotechnical, hydrological and cartographic assessments. These studies are intended to establish the elevation and contours of the site, assess soil and rock characteristics, determine ground-bearing capacity, identify natural drainage channels and examine flood risks.
The findings will provide technical inputs for planning the airport’s runway, terminal building, internal roads, drainage systems and other supporting facilities. The surveys will also help create detailed maps of the proposed airport site, allowing the project authorities to assess how the terrain and local water systems could influence airport design and construction planning.
According to MADC officials, the precise scope of the engineering studies and technical surveys will be set out in the tender documents for appointing the consultant. After the consultant is selected, the surveys will be carried out and their findings analysed before the DPR is finalised.
The consultant’s role will extend beyond the preparation of technical inputs. MADC has said the appointed agency will also assist with the technical and financial feasibility assessment and manage the tendering process up to the issue of the construction tender. This places the consultancy stage between the ongoing land acquisition and the future construction procurement phase.
The project cannot move to construction tendering until the additional surveys are completed, the findings are assessed and the DPR is finalised. The immediate milestone is therefore the appointment of the consultant, followed by field surveys, technical analysis and completion of the project report.
