GMR gets Nagpur airport, MIHAN dream takes off The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the final administrative hurdle for the GMR Group to take over operations of Nagpur airport under a public-private partnership model. This decision, approved after a prolonged legal and policy battle spanning over six years, marks a significant milestone for the region’s infrastructure development. The project, which had been stalled since 2016, now moves forward with the extension of the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) land lease to MIHAN India Limited beyond August 6, 2039. This allows the joint venture company to grant a 30-year concession to GMR Nagpur International Airport Limited (GNAIL) from the commercial operation date. The approval paves the way for a major expansion of Nagpur’s airport, which is expected to transform the city into a strategic logistics and passenger gateway. GMR is set to invest Rs 7,000 crore in modernizing the brownfield airport, including the construction of a new international-standard terminal, a second runway, and advanced cargo handling facilities. The project’s vision, known as MIHAN (Multi-Modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur), was conceived over three decades ago as an integrated aviation and logistics hub. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hailed the decision as a turning point for Nagpur’s infrastructure ambitions, emphasizing its potential to boost the city’s economic growth. He noted that only minor clearances remained pending for the airport transfer and expressed gratitude to Modi and the Union Cabinet for their support.#prime_minister_narendra_modi #airports_authority_of_india #gmr_group #mihan_india_limited #maharashtra_chief_minister_devendra_fadnavis
