The Maharashtra government has advanced plans for the long-delayed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje Greenfield International Airport at Purandar in Pune, with the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) inviting bids for a techno-economic feasibility study. The project had previously faced strong opposition from local residents.
MADC, the nodal agency overseeing the airport, is seeking technical and financial consultants to prepare the master plan, secure statutory approvals and facilitate the appointment of a private operator under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Eight-Month Planning and Assessment
The selected consultant will undertake the assignment over eight months, divided into two phases. The first five months will focus on engineering assessments, master planning and regulatory clearances. The work will include topographical surveys, geotechnical investigations, flood modelling and planning for the diversion of utility lines.
The consultant must also assess airspace compatibility, including obstacle limitation surfaces, to avoid conflicts with nearby Indian Air Force facilities and civilian flight routes.
Passenger, cargo and aircraft movement forecasts will be developed up to the financial year 2070–71, with projections prepared at five-year intervals beginning in 2028–29. The master plan will cover parallel runways capable of handling wide-body aircraft, passenger terminals, cargo facilities, maintenance hangars, commercial areas and ground-access corridors.
PPP Selection and International Outreach
The second phase, scheduled for three months, will involve preparing project information documents, concession agreements and other contractual paperwork. The consultant will also organise roadshows in at least four international locations to attract airport developers and operators interested in the PPP opportunity.
The tender marks a significant step towards advancing the airport after the completion of its preliminary feasibility assessment. Land acquisition for the project is also reported to be nearing completion.
Addressing Pune Airport’s Capacity Constraints
Pune’s existing Lohegaon airport operates alongside an Indian Air Force airbase, restricting civilian flight operations during certain periods. Growing passenger demand, limited land, insufficient parking bays and terminal constraints have further challenged its expansion.
The state has identified approximately 1,250 hectares across seven villages near Saswad for the proposed airport. The villages are Ekhatpur, Khanvadi, Kumbharvalan, Munjavadi, Pargaon, Udachiwadi and Vanpuri.
The new facility is intended to provide Pune and western Maharashtra with greater aviation capacity as the region’s industrial, educational and IT sectors expand.
Source: The Free Press Journal
