Mohol’s Civil Aviation Role Expected to Expedite Pune’s Lohegaon and Purandar Airports
Pune, 11th June 2024: The government announced on Monday that Pune’s Member of Parliament, Murlidhar Mohol, will serve as the Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation.
Mohol highlighted the importance of his new role, noting, “Maharashtra has a vast network of cooperative institutions, and this ministry is crucial for uplifting the poor.”
Aviation experts are optimistic that Mohol’s appointment will advance several long-pending projects, including the expansion of Lohegaon airport’s runway and the long-awaited new airport project in Purandar.
Retired Air Marshal Bhushan Gokhale expressed confidence in Mohol’s understanding of Pune’s need for an independent airport. “His appointment will ensure that a site for the new Pune airport project is finalized quickly, and work begins. The extension of the runway at the Air Force Station in Lohegaon and the development of the existing civil enclave should be fast-tracked,” Gokhale said. Both projects have faced delays for years.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had previously stated that land acquisition for the new airport project would commence after the elections. Although Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new terminal building of the airport on March 10, it is yet to become operational.
Sudhir Mehta, former president of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (MCCIA), remarked, “Mohol’s appointment as Minister of State for Civil Aviation acknowledges the critical need for a dedicated airport in Pune. It will address other infrastructural challenges and bridge the significant gap hindering the city’s growth.”
Deepak Shastri, former director of Pune and Shirdi airports, believes Mohol’s new position will accelerate progress on both the existing airport and the proposed one. “Regarding the commissioning of the new terminal, his role will help expedite regulatory approvals. However, the Purandar project is stuck at the state level. The issues are more political, and Mohol’s initiative and influence will determine its fate. But having someone in Delhi to advocate for Pune is encouraging and raises hope for concrete action,” Shastri said.
