The Madhya Pradesh government plans to establish an airport every 150 km, an airstrip every 75 km and a helipad every 45 km, according to the state aviation department. Airports being developed in Ujjain and Shivpuri are expected to take the state’s airport count to 10.

The government stated that Madhya Pradesh currently has eight airports in eight cities. The locations named by the department include Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Rewa and Satna. The state also has more than 20 airstrips and 220 helipads, while permanent helipads are planned in all 230 Assembly constituencies.

The Centre is processing approval for five new airports, with Singrauli receiving priority. Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, 10 existing airstrips have been proposed for development as airports. The locations are Singrauli, Sagar, Neemuch, Chhindwara, Mandla, Khandwa, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Umaria and Shahdol.

The state government is also set to receive a Challenger 3500 jet. The aircraft is intended to reduce monthly government air travel expenditure to one-third of its current level and lessen the administration’s dependence on chartered aircraft.

The Datana Matana airport in Ujjain is being developed under the UDAN 5.2 programme and is expected to support religious tourism during Simhastha 2028. Its runway will measure 1,800 metres in the initial phase and can later be extended to 2,700 metres. The airport is expected to improve access to Ujjain during the event and support the state’s broader aviation expansion plans.