The grand inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday may have been a glittering display of progress and pride for Maharashtra, but one prominent family left the event with a heavy heart. The family of the late Loknete DB Patil, the leader who became the voice of thousands of Project Affected Persons (PAP), had long awaited one special announcement, that the airport would be officially named the Loknete DB Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Banners displaying the name ‘Navi Mumbai International Airport’ at the inauguration site. Pic/Amarjeet Singh
However, during his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the facility only as the “Navi Mumbai International Airport” — without a single mention of Patil’s name, not even indirectly. Speaking exclusively to mid-day, Atul Patil, son of Loknete DB Patil, said, “Our entire family was waiting for the PM to make even a small mention or hint about the name. But he didn’t. We are not happy about it. Still, we have waited for three years, so we will now wait for three more months.”
Atul Patil, son of late Loknete DB Patil. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Atul added that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, during a recent meeting at his official residence, had assured the family and Patil’s supporters that the airport’s official name would appear on the first flight ticket once operations begin in December 2025. Meanwhile, supporters of the Patil family and PAPs placed two large hoardings bearing the title “Loknete DB Patil International Airport” near the site.
