Navi Mumbai Airport to Be Named ‘Loknete D. B. Patil’; Pune & Sambhaji Nagar Airports Await Name Approvals
CM Fadnavis confirms Navi Mumbai airport will be renamed after late Loknete D. B. Patil; proposals for Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar airports also in process.
Pune, October 04, 2025: In a landmark decision, the Maharashtra government has finalized that the Navi Mumbai International Airport will be named after Loknete D. B. Patil, a respected leader who dedicated his life to protecting the rights of project-affected persons during the city’s rapid expansion. The announcement was confirmed after state authorities received a nod from the Centre, following years of deliberation and sustained public demand.
Loknete D. B. Patil is remembered as a people’s leader, particularly among the Agri and Koli communities, who played a pivotal role in resisting unfair land acquisition and ensuring justice for displaced families. By naming the new international airport in his honor, the state is not only recognizing his contribution to social justice but also reaffirming the importance of acknowledging grassroots voices in mega development projects.
The proposal to name the Navi Mumbai airport after Patil was earlier passed by both houses of the Maharashtra legislature, and state cabinet resolutions were forwarded to the Centre. With approval now secured, this long-standing demand of local communities has finally been met. Authorities have also clarified that cases filed against protesters during the airport-naming agitation, including those registered under COVID-era restrictions, will be withdrawn in the interest of public sentiment and employment opportunities.
Meanwhile, naming proposals for other key airports are under consideration. The Pune airport has been recommended to be named after Jagadguru Sant Tukaram, one of Maharashtra’s most revered saints, while the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar airport (formerly Aurangabad) is proposed to be named after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the valiant Maratha warrior and son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. These proposals have been submitted to the Central Government and are awaiting final approval.
The renaming of Navi Mumbai airport also comes at a crucial time, with the facility expected to become operational soon. The project is seen as a key driver of connectivity and economic growth for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Naming it after Patil is widely viewed as both a symbolic and practical gesture that honors local heritage while building towards a modern, global hub.
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