Mumbai, 25 June (HS): In the chief presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis,

Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur, was handed over today

from MIHAN India Limited to GMR Aero at Nagpur.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that significant

investments are being made in the Nagpur and surrounding areas in the

maintenance command, auto aviation, and defense aviation manufacturing sectors.

Along with the development of these industries, momentum will be gained in

agriculture, tourism, and other areas, and the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar

International Airport will emerge as the engine of economic development for

Nagpur, Vidarbha, and Central India.

While new airports are being built across the country, we

have resolved to make the Nagpur Airport big and beautiful. Tenders were issued

in this regard in 2018. The GMR Company was qualified in 2019. However,

petitions were filed in the High Court and Supreme Court in this matter, and

finally, a positive decision came. Consistent follow-up was done with the

Central Government on this project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi provided full

support to this project, the Union Cabinet approved it, and today the airport

has been handed over to the GMR company for modernization, expansion, and

development, stated Chief Minister Fadnavis.

For passenger and cargo traffic at this airport, it is

necessary to have 2 terminals and 2 runways. With the handover, this path is

now clear. The airport has been provided with excellent metro and road

connectivity. Taking into account the expansion of the airport, parallel work

is underway in the direction of providing suitable connectivity in the coming

times, noted Chief Minister Fadnavis.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said that in the coming one year,

work should be done so that passengers arriving at this airport can see

unprecedented changes in its beauty and facilities. Land will be made available

by the state government under MIHAN and MIDC, and all necessary cooperation will

be provided. This airport will give a new momentum to the economic development

of Nagpur and Vidarbha, making it undoubtedly an important milestone in the

progress here.

On this occasion, MP Maya Iwante, MP Praful Patel, MLA Dr.

Parinay Fuke, MLA Sameer Meghe, Nagpur Mayor Nita Thakare, Deputy Mayor Leela

Hatibed, GMR Airports Chairman GBS Raju, and other dignitaries were present.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi