Mumbai, April 11 -- Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, has directed the expedited implementation of Pune Airport's runway expansion to enhance international connectivity. In a recent meeting with senior officials, Mohol emphasised the urgency of the project, highlighting the need to accommodate larger aircraft and increase international flights.
The project requires the acquisition of both defence and private land. Mohol assured that the state government would expedite the land acquisition process, urging local authorities to maintain pace with preliminary procedures. This expansion is seen as a crucial step to improve Pune's air connectivity in the near term, even as work on the proposed Purandar greenfield airport continues.
A significant aspect of the expansion involves the existing Vishrantwadi-Lohegaon Road, which will be affected by the airstrip extension. To address this, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been tasked with constructing an alternative route through Air Force land, with the PMC covering the construction costs. Mohol stressed the importance of close coordination between the PMC and the Air Force to ensure swift execution.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.