Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Muralidhar Mohol recently met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to seek clearance for a proposed expansion of Pune airport at Lohegaon. The proposal envisages acquisition of 300 acres for future development, with the Maharashtra government expected to undertake the land acquisition process. A key element of the plan involves a land exchange with Defence authorities to address adjacent holdings. The minister presented the exchange as a means to expedite airport works.

Under the arrangement the Indian Air Force holds 35 acres adjacent to the Airports Authority of India terminal and the state has offered 65 acres nearby in exchange. The proposal targets consolidation of operational land to facilitate terminal and ancillary infrastructure growth. Mohol sought a directive from the Defence Ministry to the Air Force to enable the swap and signalled that a clearance would allow rapid progress on expansion works. The minister stressed the state government is prepared to carry out the necessary transfers to effect the exchange.

Discussions were described as constructive and officials were directed to take necessary action to follow up on the proposals. The minister expressed confidence that decisions on expansion, a proposed merger of cantonment areas and matters affecting residents of Indiranagar would be taken in the near term. He indicated that administrative steps are under way to align state acquisition with Defence clearance.

If approvals proceed the expansion could enable additional passenger and cargo facilities and support regional connectivity and economic activity. The state led acquisition and the proposed defence land swap are the immediate prerequisites before construction planning can advance. Stakeholders will monitor directives from the Defence Ministry and subsequent actions by state departments responsible for land transfer. Further timelines will depend on the pace of clearances and execution of the exchange.