NAGPUR: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday urged the Centre to start direct international flights from Nagpur to Dubai and Singapore, saying stronger global connectivity was essential for transforming the city into a major logistics, cargo and aviation hub for central India.Speaking during the formal handover ceremony of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport to the GMR Group under the public-private partnership model, Gadkari described the transfer as a “historic moment” that came after years of legal and administrative hurdles.“I request Civil Aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu to start direct flights to Dubai and Singapore from Nagpur,” Gadkari said. “That will allow passengers from this region to connect seamlessly to Southeast Asia, China, Europe and other parts of the world.”He said Nagpur’s geographical location gives it immense aviation potential as the airport also serves large parts of Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh.Referring to the Centre’s new hub-and-spoke aviation model, Gadkari said international travel from cities like Nagpur would become smoother with immigration and baggage clearance facilities available locally before passengers board connecting flights.Tracing the origins of the airport expansion vision, Gadkari recalled that the idea of developing Nagpur as an international cargo hub emerged in the mid-1990s when he was Nagpur’s guardian minister after discussions with aviation experts and industrial leaders, including Vilas Kale.“In 1998, MIHAN was born despite strong opposition at that time,” he said.The minister said MIHAN has since emerged as a major industrial and aviation ecosystem employing more than one lakh people.He noted that Dassault Aviation is manufacturing Rafale fighter jet components in Nagpur while Boeing aircraft are being serviced at maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities in the city.“This is an ideal destination for aircraft maintenance and repairs,” Gadkari said, while crediting former Union minister Praful Patel for helping establish the MRO ecosystem despite opposition.Gadkari said Vidarbha was receiving investments worth nearly ₹7.5 lakh crore across sectors including logistics, manufacturing and infrastructure.He highlighted Nagpur’s road, rail and metro connectivity, abundant power supply and central location as key advantages driving industrial growth.The minister also pressed for faster infrastructure clearances and criticised delays in runway repair work at the airport, saying flight cancellations during the prolonged maintenance period caused heavy losses to airlines and passengers.“I thank those who harassed us during the airport clearance process as well,” Gadkari remarked sarcastically, while praising Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Civil Aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu for persistently pursuing approvals for the airport transfer.He also spoke about expanding regional connectivity in Vidarbha, including airports at Akola, Amravati and Gondia, saying improved air links would boost tourism, trade and economic activity across the region.Highlighting Nagpur’s export potential, Gadkari said products such as oranges, handloom goods and local food brands could gain access to international markets once global cargo connectivity improves.Calling Nagpur the “logistics capital” and “Zero Mile city” of India, Gadkari said the airport modernisation project would significantly strengthen the economic profile of Nagpur and Vidarbha in the coming decade.
Key takeaways:
- Gadkari said international connectivity is crucial for Nagpur’s logistics and cargo ambitions
- Airport handover to GMR was described as a “historic moment” after years of delays
- Credited Devendra Fadnavis and Ram Mohan Naidu for pursuing project clearances
- MIHAN was conceptualised in 1998 to develop Nagpur as a cargo and aviation hub
- Gadkari said MIHAN now employs over one lakh people
- Dassault manufactures Rafale components while Boeing aircraft undergo repairs in Nagpur
- Minister highlighted ₹7.5 lakh crore investments flowing into Vidarbha
- Nagpur’s central location makes it strategically important for aviation and logistics
- Criticised delays in runway repairs that caused flight disruptions and financial
