DGCA has given clearance for proposed airport in Pune's Purandar, says Murlidhar Mohol

PUNE: City MP and minister of state for civil aviation and cooperation Murlidhar Mohol said on Saturday that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had given clearance for the proposed airport in Purandar.
Discussions are being held at various levels to provide necessary clearances for it.
The ministry of defence (MoD) has already given no objection certificate for the proposed site.
With DGCA’s go-ahead, it now appears that most technical issues pertaining to the project have been cleared, Mohol said. He said that the state government will initiate steps for land acquisition for the new airport.
The proposed international airport at Purandar has been delayed due to technical issues, revision in the proposed site and opposition from locals to handover their land. Mohol said that the airport will come at the site that was proposed initially.
“A site for the international airport at Purandar was proposed in 2018 when the BJP-Sena alliance was in power. The site was changed in 2019 after a new government was formed. However, the proposal was again moved to the initial site in 2023,” the minister said.
Mohol said that all steps will be taken to expedite the project.
The former city mayor was speaking to media persons in Pune during his maiden visit to the city after assuming charge as minister of state for civil aviation and cooperation.
Regarding developments at the Lohegaon airport, Mohol said that 35 acres of land are required for expansion of the runway. Discussions will be held with the state government and stakeholders to get possession of the land. “A meeting will be held on Sunday to discuss runway expansion and other issues. Resolving the problems at Lohegaon airport is our priority at present. Expansion of the runway will enable movement of bigger planes. We will discuss the details of land acquisition and provision for funds for it,” Mohol said.
Mohol said that details are being sought on the status of existing airports at district headquarters in the state, and proposals for new airports.
He said that about 71% work of the Navi Mumbai international airport has been completed so far and the remaining work is likely to be finished by March 2025.
Mohol said that he will dedicate maximum time to resolving city issues and come out with a comprehensive plan for Pune considering its growth in the next few decades.
Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers from the city held a rally to welcome Mohol.