Lois Larson
The Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport, also known as Purandar Airport, is an upcoming airport in Pune, India. The airport was initially expected to be completed by 2021 but faced several delays due to land acquisition issues and changes in the state's political climate. In 2024, the airport received clearance from the DGCA and the Ministry of Defence, with the Detailed Project Report expected to be finalised by September 2025. The airport is now projected to become operational by March 2029. The development of the airport is expected to increase real estate value in the surrounding areas and will serve as a passenger and cargo hub for the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport |
| Location | Purandar taluka, Pune, India |
| Distance from Pune | 45 km |
| Expected completion date | March 2029 |
| Area | 2,400 hectares |
| Number of airstrips | 2 |
| Airstrip length | 4 km |
| Cargo terminal | Yes |
| Connecting routes | National Highways 48 and 65, and 4 other routes |
| Villages served | Pargaon, Memane, Rajewadi, Waghapur, Ambodi, Pisarve, Rajodi, and Jejuri |
| Project status | Delayed due to land acquisition concerns |
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What You'll Learn
- The airport is expected to be operational by March 2029
- The project has faced delays due to land acquisition issues and political changes
- The airport will be a passenger and cargo hub with two 4km-long airstrips
- The site was initially proposed in 2016 and changed in 2019, but returned to the initial site in 2023
- The airport will be connected to Pune by six routes, including National Highways 48 and 65
The airport is expected to be operational by March 2029
The Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport, also known as the Purandar Airport, is expected to be operational by March 2029. The airport is being constructed near Pune, India, and will be a much-needed addition to the existing airport infrastructure in the city. Pune is one of the fastest-growing cities in India and is included in the Smart City program of the Indian government. The current airport at Lohegaon has only eight parking bays, causing crowding and flight delays.
The new airport will be built on approximately 2,400 hectares of land in the Purandar taluka, and will feature two parallel 4-kilometre-long airstrips and a dedicated cargo terminal. The project is expected to boost the state's revenue by facilitating the export of agricultural produce and creating new job opportunities. The site for the airport was initially proposed in 2018 and changed in 2019, but the proposal was moved back to the initial site in 2023. The project has faced delays due to land acquisition concerns, with portions of the required land still owned by government organisations and private entities.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the new greenfield airport is expected to be finalised by September 2025, and the airport is projected to be operational by March 2029. The runway extension at the existing Pune International Airport in Lohegaon has been completed, and land acquisition for the Purandar Airport project is expected to be finalised within six months. The project is a joint venture, with CIDCO holding a 51% stake, MADC holding a 19% stake, and the remaining 30% shared between MIDC and PMRDA.
The upcoming Purandar Airport has already sparked interest in the surrounding areas, with investors and developers acquiring land and infrastructure development expected to follow. The airport will be connected to Pune by National Highways 48 and 65, as well as four other routes, and a special ring road connecting major industrial establishments. The airport is named after the King of the Maratha Empire, Sambhaji Maharaj, who was born at the Purandar fort.
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The project has faced delays due to land acquisition issues and political changes
The Purandar Airport in Pune, India, has faced delays in its construction due to land acquisition issues and political changes. The airport, officially named the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport, was first proposed in 2016 to address the growing need for a dedicated international airport in the city. Pune is one of the fastest-growing cities in India and has experienced an increase in flight traffic, resulting in crowding and flight delays at the existing airport.
The initial site for the airport was near Chakan, but due to opposition from local farmers and the challenging mountainous terrain, the government decided in December 2015 to change the location to Purandar taluka, a flatter region. This decision was made after considering various areas near Pune for a new airport. The new site was expected to cover approximately 2,400 to 2,800 hectares, and the airport was projected to have two parallel 4-kilometre-long airstrips and a dedicated cargo terminal.
However, the project faced further delays due to land acquisition issues. In 2023, it was reported that the land acquisition process had been halted as the government could not immediately allocate the required funds. Additionally, 45 acres of the land were still owned by various government organisations, while the rest was privately owned, leading to protests from environmentalists and farmers. These land acquisition concerns have been a significant factor in the delay of the project.
Political changes have also impacted the timeline of the Purandar Airport project. In 2018, a site for the airport was proposed when the BJP-Sena alliance was in power, but the site was changed again in 2019 after a new government took office. The proposal was then moved back to the initial site in 2023, causing further delays. The Chief Minister's statement in August 2022, confirming the airport's construction on the site approved in 2016, did little to alleviate concerns about potential delays due to the upcoming General Elections in 2024.
Despite these challenges, the project has made some progress. In June 2024, the DGCA and the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, announced clearances for the proposed airport. In January 2025, Mohol provided an update, stating that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) was expected to be finalised by September 2025, with the airport projected to become operational by March 2029. The land acquisition process is also expected to be finalised within six months, and discussions are underway to address the various issues and expedite the project's completion.
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The airport will be a passenger and cargo hub with two 4km-long airstrips
The Purandar Airport, or the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport, is an upcoming airport in Pune, India. The airport, which was first proposed in 2016, has faced several delays due to changes in the state's political climate and land acquisition issues. However, it is now set to become operational by March 2029, as announced by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol.
The Purandar Airport plan is expected to have a significant impact on the surrounding area. As the airport develops, the demand for residential and commercial spaces is expected to rise, leading to an increase in real estate value. The airport will also serve as a cargo hub for the state, facilitating the transport of locally grown crops, such as grapes and pomegranates, to other states and countries.
The airport will be connected to Pune and other major industrial establishments by six different routes, including National Highways 48 and 65, as well as a special ring road. It will serve seven Purandar tehsil villages: Pargaon, Memane, Rajewadi, Waghapur, Ambodi, Pisarve, Rajodi, and Jejuri.
The development of the Purandar Airport is a response to the growing need for a dedicated international airport in Pune, one of India's fastest-growing cities. The existing airport at Lohegaon has faced crowding and flight delays due to limited parking bays and a single terminal. With the new airport in Purandar, Pune will be able to accommodate the increasing air traffic demand and enhance its connectivity domestically and internationally.
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The site was initially proposed in 2016 and changed in 2019, but returned to the initial site in 2023
The Purandar Airport, or Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport, is a proposed airport project to serve the city of Pune, India. The airport is expected to be operational by March 2029.
The site for the airport was initially proposed in 2016, with a site near Chakan chosen as the location. However, due to opposition from local farmers and the mountainous terrain, the government decided to change the site to Purandar taluka, a flatter region. In 2018, a specific site in Purandar was proposed, but this was changed in 2019 after a new government was formed. The proposal was then moved back to the initial site in 2023.
The airport project has faced several delays due to land acquisition issues, with parts of the required land still owned by government organisations and private individuals. There has also been opposition from environmentalists and farmers. The project is expected to cover around 2,400 to 2,800 hectares of land, involving several villages in the region.
The Purandar Airport is designed to serve as both a passenger and cargo hub, with two parallel 4-kilometre-long airstrips and a dedicated cargo terminal. It is expected to decongest the current Lohegaon airport, which has limited capacity and infrastructure constraints.
The project is a joint venture between CIDCO, MADC, MIDC, and PMRDA, with CIDCO holding a 51% stake. The development of the airport is anticipated to spur commercial and residential growth in the surrounding areas, making it an attractive investment opportunity for many.
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The airport will be connected to Pune by six routes, including National Highways 48 and 65
The Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport, also known as the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport, is a proposed greenfield airport project to serve the city of Pune, India. The airport will be located in the Purandar taluka of Pune District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It will be built near Pune and is expected to decongest the current Lohegaon airport, which is struggling to keep up with the growing demand for air traffic in the city.
The Purandar Airport plan includes two parallel 4 km long airstrips and a dedicated cargo terminal. The airport is expected to serve as a passenger and cargo hub, increasing state revenue by facilitating exports and creating new job opportunities. The development of the airport is anticipated to spur commercial and residential growth in the surrounding areas, with investors and developers already investing in land nearby.
The airport was initially proposed in 2018, but the site selection process has undergone changes due to opposition from landowners and farmers, as well as considerations for flatter terrain. The project has received clearances from the DGCA and the MoD, and the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) is tasked with executing it. The airport was expected to be fully functional by 2021, but the timeline has been extended due to site changes and other factors.
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Frequently asked questions
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje International Airport, also known as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport.
The airport is projected to be operational by March 2029.
The project has been delayed due to land acquisition concerns, protests by environmentalists and farmers, and changes in the state's political climate.
The new airport will decongest the current Lohegaon airport, which has limited flight capacity and frequent flight delays and cancellations. It will also serve as a cargo hub for the state, increasing state revenue and creating new job opportunities.
The project is a joint venture with CIDCO holding a 51% stake, MADC holding a 19% stake, and the MIDC and PMRDA sharing the remaining 30% stake.
