Nagpur Residents Face ₹50 Crore Loss Due to Airport Development Delays; Gadkari Expresses Displeasure
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari criticizes bureaucratic delays in Nagpur airport development, leading to an estimated ₹50 crore loss for residents, and warns of accountability measures.
Nagpur, October 4, 2025 — Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has publicly expressed his displeasure over significant delays in the development of Nagpur’s airport infrastructure, attributing the setbacks to bureaucratic inefficiencies. These delays have reportedly caused a financial loss of approximately ₹50 crore to the residents of Nagpur.
During the inauguration of a three-day National Air Traffic Control Seminar in Nagpur, Gadkari criticized the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for prolonged inaction, which has stalled crucial projects at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. He highlighted that these delays not only inconvenience travelers but also impede regional development and economic growth, emphasizing that bureaucratic inefficiency has a direct impact on citizens. Gadkari has also warned of strict accountability measures, including the suspension of officials responsible for the delays, signaling the government’s zero-tolerance approach towards negligence in public infrastructure projects.
Among the stalled projects is the recarpeting of the airport runway, which has been pending for more than eighteen months, along with the construction of a three-kilometer road stretch within the airport premises. Both projects are essential for ensuring smooth operations and safety standards at the airport. The prolonged delays in these upgrades have caused inconvenience for passengers and cargo operations alike and have raised concerns among local businesses and stakeholders.
The Vidarbha Economic Development (VED) Council has voiced concerns over the delay in transferring control of the airport to the GMR Group, a key partner in modernizing airport infrastructure. According to the council, this delay has hampered plans for building a new cargo terminal, enhancing airside infrastructure, and constructing a modern air traffic control tower. The VED Council emphasized that these improvements are crucial for positioning Nagpur as a central aviation hub, attracting airlines, boosting trade, and facilitating regional economic growth.
Residents and businesses in Nagpur have also expressed their frustration over the delays. Many local entrepreneurs note that the stagnation of airport development projects has led to missed business opportunities, increased transportation costs, and a slowdown in tourism-related revenues. The ₹50 crore estimated loss has primarily affected travel and logistics businesses that rely on timely airport operations and infrastructure efficiency.
Gadkari’s intervention has sparked debates on the role of bureaucracy in delaying public projects and the need for accountability mechanisms to ensure timely completion of development work. Experts argue that efficient execution of airport upgrades is vital for improving connectivity and facilitating long-term economic development in Nagpur and surrounding regions.
Officials from the AAI and state authorities have reportedly assured that work will resume soon and that coordination between the state government, airport authorities, and contractors will be strengthened to avoid further delays. There are plans to expedite pending construction work and prioritize the runway recarpeting and road development projects to mitigate financial losses and inconvenience for residents and travelers.
The situation highlights the importance of timely infrastructure development and government oversight to prevent similar setbacks in the future. Gadkari’s remarks underline the government’s focus on transparency, accountability, and proactive management of public projects, reinforcing the message that delays affecting citizens’ interests will not be tolerated.
The Nagpur airport development project, once completed, is expected to improve passenger and cargo handling capacity significantly, attract more airlines, and enhance regional connectivity. Local stakeholders are hopeful that the combined pressure from the Union Minister, VED Council, and residents will push the authorities to expedite work and ensure that Nagpur realizes the benefits of its airport modernization plans in the near future.
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