Mumbai, June 30 -- GMR Airports Limited has assumed operations of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur after a formal handover. The move follows the central government's vision of strengthening regional connectivity and positioning Nagpur as a hub-and-spoke aviation network for central India. Officials noted the airport's central location offers a strategic advantage for domestic and international transfer operations and support for cargo flows. The upgrade will support local employment and broader economic activity in the region.
The first phase of development will prioritise expansion of the passenger terminal to accommodate three million (mn) travellers annually and to improve processing and passenger circulation. Upgrades will include improvements to security screening and baggage handling to streamline connections. Subsequent phases are planned to elevate capacity to 30 mn passengers annually, accompanied by comprehensive airside infrastructure upgrades and a new Air Traffic Control tower. The programme is designed to ensure phased delivery of capacity and operational enhancements.
The airport will include a modern cargo facility capable of handling 20,000 tonnes (t), intended to strengthen freight throughput and support logistics and trade. Planners indicated the development will provide facilities for maintenance, repair and overhaul activity and will bolster regional industrial supply chains. Under a 30-year concessionaire agreement, GMR Nagpur International Airport Limited will undertake a phased modernisation and expansion programme with staged investments. Staged investments will be aligned with traffic growth and operational demand.
GMR AERO now counts nine airports under operation or development and operates seven airports in India and abroad, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa Mopa, Nagpur and Bidar, as well as airports in Indonesia and technical support for facilities in the Philippines. The group is also developing greenfield airports in Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh and in Crete, Greece. Company statements framed the project as reinforcing GMR's expertise in transforming airports into engines of regional development and economic prosperity. This handover forms part of a wider national push to enhance airport infrastructure and connectivity.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.