The grand inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) on Wednesday may have been a glittering display of progress and pride for Maharashtra, but one prominent family left the event with a heavy heart. The family of the late Loknete DB Patil, the leader who became the voice of thousands of Project Affected Persons (PAP), had long awaited one special announcement, that the airport would be officially named the Loknete DB Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport.

Banners displaying the name ‘Navi Mumbai International Airport’ at the inauguration site. Pic/Amarjeet Singh