NEW DELHI. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared a landmark proposal to modernize and upgrade Nagpur’s Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). This decision facilitates a 30-year concession to GMR Nagpur International Airport Limited (GNIAL) and extends the lease of Airports Authority of India (AAI) land beyond 2039. The move resolves long-standing administrative and legal hurdles, aligning the land lease with the operational timelines required for large-scale private investment.
This redevelopment is a cornerstone of the Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) project, aiming to transform the city into a premier aviation hub for Central India. Under the phased development plan, GNIAL targets a significant capacity expansion to handle up to 30 million passengers annually. The project is expected to draw substantial private capital, ensuring that the airport features world-class infrastructure and modernized passenger amenities while significantly boosting regional connectivity for the Vidarbha region.
Beyond passenger travel, the modernization focuses heavily on enhancing cargo handling capabilities, leveraging Nagpur’s strategic central location. By integrating advanced logistics infrastructure, the project is set to stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities across Maharashtra. This development marks the final step in a multi-year process, transitioning airport operations to a specialized joint venture capable of delivering high-efficiency services and fostering industrial expansion in the region.
