Expedite work on airport projects to boost air connectivity in Maharashtra: CM

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday urged to expedited work on airport projects to boost air connectivity in MaharashtraFadnavis on Saturday chaired a highlevel meeting of the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation Board in MumbaiHe called for accelerated work on airport projects to connect every region of the state by air and to expand existing airports He assured that both the state and central governments would provide substantial support for these initiatives an official statement saidAccording to the statement Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that the significant potential for growth in air transport within the state He urged a focus on developing airports through the central governments UDAN scheme and state funding The development includes expanding airports adding night landing facilities increasing runway lengths and providing modern amenities for passengers at airportsThe Chief Minister also directed the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation MIDC to take immediate action to bring airports currently under the control of Reliance into the states ownership This move is aimed at ensuring greater state involvement in airport management and improving overall air connectivityTo reduce the load on airports in major cities the staterun Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation was instructed to speed up the development of smaller airports This includes expanding and improving facilities at airports in regions like Ratnagiri Shirdi Amravati Belora Purandar Karad Chandrapur Morwa Solapur Dhule Phaltan Akola and GadchiroliFadnavis also took a detailed review of the progress of several airport projects He specifically discussed the 78656hectare land acquisition for the upcoming GMR Nagpur International Airport under the Multimodal International Cargo Hub and Airport project Fadnavis directed that the agreement for land acquisition be finalised as soon as possible the statement saidCM Fadnavis reiterated the state governments commitment to creating a comprehensive air transport network that connects every corner of Maharashtra These airport development projects are part of the broader efforts to modernize the statersquos infrastructure improve air quality and promote tourism and business it saidThe meeting was also attended by senior government officials including Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department Sanjay Sethi Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department OP Gupta Principal Secretary of Urban Development Asim Kumar Gupta Managing Director of MADC Swati Pandey Secretary of the Industry Department Anbalagan and others