India targets 400 airports by 2047, says aviation minister

30 Oct 2025 CW Team

In a message delivered on his behalf at the inaugural session of the first Asia Pacific Region Accident Investigation Group (APAC-AIG) meeting held at Vigyan Bhawan, Naidu said the Asia-Pacific region has consistently set benchmarks in aviation safety oversight and accident prevention through close collaboration among member nations. “The region’s accident rate has consistently remained lower than the global average over the past decade,” he noted.

Highlighting India’s progress in aligning with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) norms, the minister said India’s compliance score has risen to 85 per cent from 70 per cent in 2018, while its global ranking has improved from 112 to 55.

The four-day meeting, hosted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), brought together officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), ICAO’s Asia-Pacific regional office, and delegates from several countries.

AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar urged participants to strengthen global aviation safety through detailed investigations and actionable recommendations. He also offered India’s aviation laboratories to member nations for defect analysis and accident probe support.

Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said India has adopted ICAO’s Annex 13 standards under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, and is investing in capacity-building initiatives. These include plans for a National Aviation Safety Centre at Jewar, auditor training at Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU), and institutional strengthening of DGCA and AAIB under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.

ICAO APAC-AIG Chairman Stuart Godley and Secretary Anam also addressed the event, stressing the importance of regional cooperation, data sharing, and safety implementation to enhance the overall aviation safety framework.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on Tuesday announced that India aims to establish between 350 and 400 airports by 2047, reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity, growth, and air safety standards across the country. In a message delivered on his behalf at the inaugural session of the first Asia Pacific Region Accident Investigation Group (APAC-AIG) meeting held at Vigyan Bhawan, Naidu said the Asia-Pacific region has consistently set benchmarks in aviation safety oversight and accident prevention through close collaboration among member nations. “The region’s accident rate has consistently remained lower than the global average over the past decade,” he noted. Highlighting India’s progress in aligning with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) norms, the minister said India’s compliance score has risen to 85 per cent from 70 per cent in 2018, while its global ranking has improved from 112 to 55. The four-day meeting, hosted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), brought together officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), ICAO’s Asia-Pacific regional office, and delegates from several countries. AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar urged participants to strengthen global aviation safety through detailed investigations and actionable recommendations. He also offered India’s aviation laboratories to member nations for defect analysis and accident probe support. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said India has adopted ICAO’s Annex 13 standards under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017, and is investing in capacity-building initiatives. These include plans for a National Aviation Safety Centre at Jewar, auditor training at Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU), and institutional strengthening of DGCA and AAIB under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024. ICAO APAC-AIG Chairman Stuart Godley and Secretary Anam also addressed the event, stressing the importance of regional cooperation, data sharing, and safety implementation to enhance the overall aviation safety framework.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..