Navi Mumbai Airport To Be Named As Loknete DB Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday that Navi Mumbai International Airport will be named after the late DB Patil, a politician and social activist celebrated for securing rightful compensation for project-affected residents in the region.

“While granting permission for the airport construction earlier, the centre had approved the name ‘Navi Mumbai International Airport’. With the proposed renaming, it will now be officially known as ‘Loknete DB Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport’. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the state’s proposal,” Fadnavis said.

Pune airport is proposed to be named after Jagadguru Sant Tukaram, while Aurangabad airport will be named after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The state government had previously renamed Aurangabad district as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

“The official name announcement will coincide with the commencement of passenger operations. During the interim ‘dry run’ period, advance bookings and technical readiness procedures will be conducted,” Fadnavis said.

The renaming decision was cleared by both Houses of the state legislature and approved by the state cabinet before being forwarded to the Centre, Fadnavis noted.

The Centre is finalising its policy on airport naming, and under the new guidelines, approval is expected soon.Three proposals are under consideration by the Central government and are expected to be cleared shortly in line with state requests and new policies, he added.

Fadnavis also said cases registered against activists who had protested about the airport’s name would be withdrawn to ensure their employment opportunities at the airport were not affected.

Cases filed during the COVID period will also be withdrawn following due judicial procedure, the Chief Minister said.