Pune is well connected by rail and road network to major cities of India. Apart from this, Pune also has existing operational International Airport at Lohegaon, about 10 km Pune city. This airport has main runway of 2539 m X 45 m and Secondary runway of 2090 m x 45 m (used as taxiway by IAF), Terminal Building area of about 18500 Sq. m.
This airport is equipped with night landing facilities, navigational facilities like DVOR/DME and NDB etc. However, the existing Lohegaon Airport shares the runway and ATC facilities with the Air force base and it imposes restrictions in operation of civilian flights from this Airport.
The passenger traffic at present is about 4.00 million per Annum. The civil operations at existing airport are restricted and therefore growing traffic cannot be managed from the existing Airport. Citing the need to accommodate growing traffic demand, an international connectivity is must.
GoM decided to develop Green Field Airport at Pune and issued G.R. dated 03/02/2001 appointing MIDC as Nodal agency for development of New Airport. However, vide G.R. dated 27/02/2009, Government of Maharashtra appointed MADC as Special Purpose Company for Airport development and approved proposal of acquiring 3365 Ha of land for development of Airport.
The airport is to be developed through PPP model. However, the site was not finalized due to various constraints. Thereafter, MADC has taken necessary steps to evaluate different site locations for this airport. MADC has submitted the proposal for the selection of site to the Government of Maharashtra and Government's final decision is awaited.
