Pune airports new terminal will operationalize ‘in next few days’: Murlidhar Mohol

The building which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024 has not been operationalized due to delay in getting regulatory nod from Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and also because of lack of security personnel to guard the expanded airport terminal.

Mohol, while participating in a media interaction organised by Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ), said that he deliberately stayed back in New Delhi after taking oath so as to take stock of the situation related to key projects linked to Pune and Maharashtra.

“The new terminal has received regulatory nods but it hasn’t been operationalized due to lack of CISF personnel. Yesterday, I met Amit Shah (Union Home Minister) and requested him for the allotment of required personnel. He has responded positively and I am confident that in the next few days – the new terminal building will be operationalised,” said Mohol.

Mohol said that he was pleasantly surprised to get the ministerial berth at the national level and he would strive to fulfil the expectations that the national leadership of BJP have from him. “The celebrations are now over. The real test starts now. Much work needs to be done (in Pune). I like to work. Once I take up something I follow it relentlessly,” he said.

Talking about the new Greenfield airport project for Pune, he said that after the Mahayuti government returned to Maharashtra, it decided to revert back to the original Purandar site for the new airport. “I am glad to inform you that the Director General of Civil Aviation has approved the Purandar site in May 2024. It already had a clearance from the Ministry of Defence. Now, since almost 99 per cent technical issues are resolved, the land acquisition for the project will commence,” said Mohol.

Mohol also added that he reviewed the Pune Airport runway expansion project. “We need 35 acres of land for the runway expansion. Due to the present runway, only Type C aircraft can operate from Pune. This puts limitations on operations. We will have to work together with the state government and the Ministry of Defence so that we can work out a formula to acquire this land on priority,” said Mohol.

Mohol will visit Pune Airport on Sunday and will hold a review meeting with the officials of Airports Authority of India (AAI).