Nagpur airport to be major growth engine for Vidarbha, Central India: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur will emerge as a key growth driver for Vidarbha and central India, boosting trade, connectivity, and investment in the region.

Speaking at an event marking the handover of airport operations from MIHAN India Ltd (MIL) to GMR Aero, Fadnavis said the facility will play a crucial role in transforming Nagpur into a major aviation and logistics hub. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also attended the event.

Fadnavis said Nagpur is steadily developing into a hub for the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sector and suggested the creation of a free trade zone to attract aircraft from Southeast Asia for servicing and related operations.

He expressed confidence that the airport’s expansion and modernisation will unlock significant economic opportunities for the region, stating that it would become the “biggest engine of growth” for central India.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said Nagpur’s strong connectivity, infrastructure, and educational ecosystem are positioning it as a logistics capital of India. He added that the international airport will further boost investments and industrial development in the region.

GMR Airports Chairman GBS Raju said the takeover marks a major step in transforming the airport into a world-class aviation facility. He said development will be carried out in phases to expand capacity and infrastructure.

The first phase will expand the passenger terminal to handle three million passengers annually, while future phases aim to increase capacity up to 30 million passengers per year. The airport will also feature upgraded airside infrastructure, including a new air traffic control tower.

A dedicated cargo facility with a capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes is also planned, which is expected to strengthen Nagpur’s role as a logistics hub for central India.

Officials said the development aligns with India’s broader push to enhance regional air connectivity and support sustainable economic growth.