The Hadapsar Gliding Centre will be developed under a public-private partnership, as stated by Murlidhar Mohol, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation. He dismissed rumors suggesting the centre would be handed over to a private party. The 250-acre centre was previously managed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and was transferred to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on December 31, 2024. Mohol clarified that the centre had been given to AAI, which would develop it in a public-private partnership model. He assured that the information regarding its handover to a private party was not accurate. The AAI was currently evaluating the development plans, including the type of facilities to be provided. He mentioned that he would visit the gliding centre next week for an inspection and that the AAI’s plans would be reviewed before any final decisions were made. The announcement of the transfer to AAI raised concerns among citizens, particularly about the possibility of the centre being handed over to a private party. Yogesh Sasane, a former councillor who has been protesting at the centre, expressed his concerns, stating that the gliding centre had helped many common people pursue their dream of becoming pilots. He emphasised that many former trainees went on to become pilots in the Air Force. He further noted that under DGCA’s management, rates were capped to make the services affordable for all, but if a private entity took over, it might prioritise profit, making it harder for ordinary people to access training. The current cost for each flying session is capped at Rs 187. Sasane highlighted that former trainees included individuals like a 70-year-old ex-director of the Maharashtra Education Board and the youngest person in the country to earn a pilot's license. Laxman Kokate, a former deputy director of higher education in Maharashtra and one of the oldest individuals to receive a pilot’s license in the country, shared his experience. He explained that in 2009, when he returned, he was looking to learn a new skill and decided to join the centre’s training program. After several flights between 2010 and 2012, he earned his glider pilot’s license in 2012. Ruchira Gore, who received her pilot’s license at the age of 17, reflected on her training at the centre. She recalled joining at 16 in 2007 and earning her glider license within a year. She credited the rigorous training with transforming her personality, making her more confident, and teaching her the value of perseverance.