Rajkot Identifies Land For New Dwarka Airport Project
Rajkothas taken a decisive step towards strengthening connectivity to Dwarka, one of India’s most significant pilgrimage and tourism hubs, by earmarking land for a long-awaited airport project. Nearly 300 hectares near Vasai village, just 12 kilometres from the temple town, have been identified for the aviation facility, signalling fresh momentum after several years of uncertainty.
Officials confirmed that about 45 per cent of the land already falls under government ownership, while the remainder belongs to private holders. The district administration has begun preparing the acquisition process under the state’s policy framework. Once completed, the land will be transferred to the state civil aviation department for development in coordination with central authorities, subject to regulatory approvals.
This is the third attempt at securing a site for Dwarka’s airport, with earlier proposals rejected due to feasibility concerns and the sensitive nature of the coastal border region, which also houses vital defence installations. Authorities are now approaching the project with added caution to ensure compliance with aviation and security norms. Beyond its religious significance centred around the centuries-old Dwarkadhish temple, the region has witnessed a surge in visitors following the development of Shivrajpur beach and the inauguration of the Sudarshan Setu linking Beyt Dwarka to the mainland. Tourism officials say the addition of an airport will drastically reduce travel time, offering an alternative to the current eight-hour rail journey from Ahmedabad and 17 hours from Mumbai.
The new aviation hub is also expected to serve dual purposes. In addition to facilitating pilgrim and tourist access, it will provide a strategic advantage for the Air Force in emergencies, enhancing the resilience of the region’s defence infrastructure. Experts point out that such infrastructure, if built with sustainable technologies, could position Dwarka as a model for eco-friendly aviation growth in India. The airport development comes at a time when Gujarat is seeing rapid investment in tourism infrastructure. The proposed site near Vasai village is seen as strategically significant, offering accessibility to not just pilgrims but also eco-tourism enthusiasts keen to explore the Marine National Park and the biodiversity-rich coastal stretches of Devbhumi Dwarka and Jamnagar.
Authorities stress that the vision extends beyond religious tourism. Plans are underway to transform Dwarka into a holistic destination, combining cultural heritage, natural conservation, and leisure. Initiatives such as lakeside developments, beach facilities, and a marine interpretation centre are part of the larger framework to promote balanced tourism that caters to both pilgrims and environmentally conscious travellers. For now, the identification of land brings the long-discussed project closer to reality. While timelines remain uncertain, officials believe the airport could become a cornerstone of Dwarka’s transformation into a sustainable, inclusive, and globally accessible tourism hub.
