Make Nashik airport runway operational before Kumbh Mela, Bhujbal to Centre

Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal has appealed to the central government to make the underconstruction runway at Nashikrsquos Ozar Airport operational for civilian use ahead of the upcoming 2026 Kumbh Mela reported the PTIIn a letter addressed to the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Chhagan Bhujbal stressed the urgent need for air connectivity to manage the expected influx of over five crore pilgrims during the massive religious gathering scheduled to begin in October 2026The Ozar Airport primarily operated by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited HAL for defence purposes also serves as a commercial terminal Bhujbal has requested that the new 3000 x 45metre runway currently under construction be made available for civil flight operations on a priority basis according to the PTIHe noted that the airport terminal already spans 22 acres has a builtup area of 8267 square metres and is equipped with ground lighting and Instrument Landing System ILS facilities The DGCA had also granted night landing clearance for the airport in July 2019 as per the PTIBhujbal mentioned that tenders worth Rs 3432 crore have been floated for the parallel runway project with an estimated completion timeline of 18 monthsCalling Nashik airport a ldquonational assetrdquo with the potential for dualuse civil and defence Bhujbal cited Prayagraj Airportrsquos performance during the Maha Kumbh Mela earlier this year where over 55 lakh passengers and 5229 aircraft movements were recorded during the 46day event the news agency reportedBhujbal suggested Nashik could witness similar traffic and stressed that enhanced air connectivity would be crucial for managing crowd flow boosting tourism and upgrading local infrastructureThe Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik will begin on October 31 2026 with traditional Dhwajarohan flag hoisting at Trimbakeshwar Ramkund and Panchvati and will run until 24 July 2028ldquoTimely operationalisation of the runway will greatly assist in accommodating the expected surge in devotees and will prepare Nashik for hosting an event of international scalerdquo Bhujbal stated the PTI reportedMeanwhile earlier this month Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had held a review meeting of the preparations for Kumbh MelaHe had directed officials to ensure that all infrastructure projects for the NashikTrimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela are completed on time and to the highest standards news agency PTI reportedAt the review meeting held at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai Fadnavis emphasised that the Nashik Ring Road project must be expedited while land acquisition for Sadhu Gram tent city should progress at full pace a statement from his office had statedwith PTI inputs