The state government has announced that the new airport on the outskirts of Mumbai will be named ‘Loknete DB Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport’. Besides Navi Mumbai, the Maharashtra government has also proposed renaming Pune airport after Jagadguru Sant Tukaram and Chhatrapati Sambhjinagar Airport (formerly Aurangabad airport) after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Mahraj.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that initially, when permission for construction of the airport near Mumbai was sought, approvals were given in the name of Navi Mumbai Airport. “But the state government has requested the Union government to name the airport after DB Patil. Also, a proposal for renaming Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhjinagar airports has been sent to the centre. The government of India has shown a positive response to the proposal,” Fadnavis said.
On Friday, Fadnavis chaired a meeting pertaining to the Navi Mumbai airport. Senior minister Ganesh Naik (BJP), MLA Ravindra Chavan (BJP Maharashtra president), BJP MLA Prashant Thakur, other public representatives, and government officials were present during the meeting.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, the CM discussed the airport name issue with the government of India, which has assured complete support to the state government’s proposal. “For the naming, a policy is being finalised at the central government level. Therefore, it is taking time. The naming of the airport will be done soon, as per the new policy,” the statement mentioned.
The much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) designed as a state-of-the-art hub for both domestic and international passengers, is likely to be inaugurated at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8.
Cases filed against protesters will be withdrawn: Fadnavis
During the meeting on Friday, it was decided to withdraw cases registered against those who took part in protests for the naming of Navi Mumbai airport, so that they do not face difficulties in landing jobs at the airport. “This process will be carried out with the permission of the court and as per rules,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.
