Industries seek swift action for Nashik airport expansion ahead of Kumbh Mela

Nashik: Four months after industries repeatedly urged chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and other ministers to expand the Nashik airport in anticipation of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, state govt has not taken concrete steps, raising concerns among the industrial sector.

A delegation from the Nashik Industries and Manufacturers' Association (Nima) met NCP MP and party's state president Sunil Tatkare during his recent visit to Nashik. The delegation requested Tatkare to take up the issue with both state and central authorities ahead of the religious conglomerate scheduled between 2026 and 2028.

Tatkare held a separate meeting with Nima members to discuss the expansion of the Nashik airport terminal and the inclusion of Nashik in the second phase of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). Attending the meeting with Tatkare were Nima president Ashish Nahar, vice-president and chairman of the aviation committee Manish Rawal, secretary Rajendra Ahire etc. The delegation also submitted a memorandum to Tatkare regarding the matter.

Association members said the airport terminal expansion would take approximately two years; therefore, they stressed on the immediate need to develop proper plans and commence work, considering there are less than two years until the Kumbh Mela.

Nima vice-president Rawal said Tatkare assured the delegation he would promptly raise the issue with deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Moreover, he committed to meeting the relevant Central cabinet ministers to facilitate the expansion of the airport.

"We also requested Tatkare to pursue Centre for the inclusion of Nashik in the second phase of the DMIC. He assured us he would take up the matter with the ministers concerned in Delhi," Rawal said.

In Jan 2025, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which manages the Nashik airport, requested state govt to expand the airport amid a projected increase in passenger numbers during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. HAL submitted proposals twice in the last four months seeking the expansion of the airport terminal building and an increase in aircraft parking bays from the current five to 15. However, state govt has yet to initiate any action in this direction.

Conversely, an industrialist noted during the meeting that state govt is allocating Rs 1,200 crore for the development of Shirdi airport, but has not made any decision regarding the expansion of the Nashik airport.

Nashik airport, located at Janori, approximately 20km from Nashik city, was developed jointly by state govt and HAL at a total cost of Rs 94 crore in 2013 and 2014. State govt invested Rs 84 crore, while HAL contributed Rs 10 crore and provided land for the airport's construction. State govt has leased the Nashik airport terminal building to HAL for 30 years at a rate of Rs 1,000 per month. The airport's seating capacity is currently 300 passengers at a time, whereas during the Kumbh Mela, passenger footfall is expected to reach 1,000 per hour. Consequently, industries urge state govt to develop the Nashik airport ahead of the Kumbh.

Nashik: Four months after industries repeatedly urged chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and other ministers to expand the Nashik airport in anticipation of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, state govt has not taken concrete steps, raising concerns among the industrial sector.

A delegation from the Nashik Industries and Manufacturers' Association (Nima) met NCP MP and party's state president Sunil Tatkare during his recent visit to Nashik. The delegation requested Tatkare to take up the issue with both state and central authorities ahead of the religious conglomerate scheduled between 2026 and 2028.

Tatkare held a separate meeting with Nima members to discuss the expansion of the Nashik airport terminal and the inclusion of Nashik in the second phase of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). Attending the meeting with Tatkare were Nima president Ashish Nahar, vice-president and chairman of the aviation committee Manish Rawal, secretary Rajendra Ahire etc. The delegation also submitted a memorandum to Tatkare regarding the matter.

Association members said the airport terminal expansion would take approximately two years; therefore, they stressed on the immediate need to develop proper plans and commence work, considering there are less than two years until the Kumbh Mela.

Nima vice-president Rawal said Tatkare assured the delegation he would promptly raise the issue with deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Moreover, he committed to meeting the relevant Central cabinet ministers to facilitate the expansion of the airport.

"We also requested Tatkare to pursue Centre for the inclusion of Nashik in the second phase of the DMIC. He assured us he would take up the matter with the ministers concerned in Delhi," Rawal said.

In Jan 2025, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which manages the Nashik airport, requested state govt to expand the airport amid a projected increase in passenger numbers during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. HAL submitted proposals twice in the last four months seeking the expansion of the airport terminal building and an increase in aircraft parking bays from the current five to 15. However, state govt has yet to initiate any action in this direction.

Conversely, an industrialist noted during the meeting that state govt is allocating Rs 1,200 crore for the development of Shirdi airport, but has not made any decision regarding the expansion of the Nashik airport.

Nashik airport, located at Janori, approximately 20km from Nashik city, was developed jointly by state govt and HAL at a total cost of Rs 94 crore in 2013 and 2014. State govt invested Rs 84 crore, while HAL contributed Rs 10 crore and provided land for the airport's construction. State govt has leased the Nashik airport terminal building to HAL for 30 years at a rate of Rs 1,000 per month. The airport's seating capacity is currently 300 passengers at a time, whereas during the Kumbh Mela, passenger footfall is expected to reach 1,000 per hour. Consequently, industries urge state govt to develop the Nashik airport ahead of the Kumbh.