Review of 150-Km Airport Restriction
The existing policy permits only one airport within a 150-kilometre radius, a rule that was designed when India’s aviation market was far smaller. Mr. Rammohan Naidu said the restriction no longer reflects present realities, especially in large urban clusters where airports are operating at or near full capacity.
“The Centre will review the existing policy and allow multiple airports where traffic demand justifies it,” he said, adding that proposals for new airports would be considered once existing facilities approach saturation.
New Airports in the Pipeline
The minister confirmed that the government is already taking steps to facilitate new airports in major metropolitan regions, including Mumbai, Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, Bengaluru, Parandur near Chennai, and other fast-growing cities.
Ghaziabad, located about 42 kilometres from New Delhi, is expected to ease pressure on the Indira Gandhi International Airport, while similar projects in southern and western India aim to decongest existing hubs and improve regional connectivity.
Aviation as an Economic Growth Engine
Emphasising the government’s focus on aviation-led development, Mr. Rammohan Naidu said the sector has been accorded top priority due to its multiplier effect on the economy. Along with airports, the Centre is promoting Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities to generate direct and indirect employment.
Learning from Past Success Stories
Recalling the development of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad in Telangana, the minister described it as a model for large-scale airport planning. Spread across nearly 5,000 acres, the airport has emerged as a major aviation and logistics hub.
Mr. Rammohan Naidu credited the project to the initiative taken by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during his tenure in the unified State between 1995 and 2003, noting that long-term planning was crucial to its success.
Connectivity Beyond the Runway
The Union Minister stressed that airport development must go hand in hand with supporting infrastructure. He said the Centre would accord equal priority to building multiple access roads and transport corridors connecting airports to cities and industrial zones.
Improved road and rail connectivity, he noted, not only enhances passenger convenience but also stimulates industrial growth and regional economic activity.
Bhogapuram Airport to Transform North Andhra
Expressing confidence in the Bhogapuram International Airport, Mr. Rammohan Naidu said the facility would serve as a powerful growth engine for Andhra Pradesh. He said the airport would strengthen trade, boost exports, and unlock the State’s vast tourism potential.
Andhra Pradesh Minister for MSMEs Kondapalli Srinivas and GMR Group Airports Business Chairman G.B.S. Raju also expressed optimism that the project would accelerate economic development and job creation in the North Andhra region.
Looking Ahead
With India’s aviation sector poised for sustained expansion, the proposed policy shift allowing multiple airports in major cities is expected to reshape urban air connectivity. Industry experts believe the move will reduce congestion, improve service quality, and support India’s ambition of becoming a global aviation hub.
The Centre’s review of the 150-kilometre restriction signals a pragmatic approach to infrastructure planning, aligning policy with the evolving needs of a fast-growing economy.
