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State sanctions airport at Gadchiroli to tackle Naxal activity better
Maharashtra's government approved administrative and financial sanction for a Gadchiroli airport, to be built by MADC, with land acquisition to proceed. The project aims to improve airlift for security personnel and medical treatment and supports anticipated industrial development in the district. An Empowered Committee approved the plan on May 8, followed by land and runway considerations on May 12.
Why It Matters
The airport could strengthen counter-Naxal operations in Gadchiroli and support upcoming industrial development, potentially transforming regional connectivity and security logistics.
Timeline
3 Events
May 12, 2026: Administrative and financial sanction granted; land acquisition details
May 12, 2026
The state government granted administrative and financial sanction for an airport at Gadchiroli to be constructed by MADC. District collector Aviyshant Panda was authorised to carry out land acquisition for 311.81 hectares across Shirapur Chak, Guruwala, Hirapur, and Rakhi. The government approved transfer of 31.38 hectares of government land in lieu of compensation to MADC and diversion of 34.68 hectares of forest land. The expenditure approved for land acquisition was ₹104,48,64,239. The project envisions a 3,100-metre runway located about seven kilometres from Gadchiroli city, capable of accommodating midsize aircraft such as the A320 and B737, to improve airlift for security personnel and critical patients during Naxal-related incidents.
May 8, 2026: Empowered Committee approves airport project proposal
May 8, 2026
The Empowered Committee chaired by the chief secretary approved the proposal for the Gadchiroli airport project, enabling administrative and financial sanction for the project to be processed by MADC.
2025 Winter Session: CM announces Gadchiroli expressways plan
2025
In the 2025 winter session, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a plan to expand Gadchiroli's expressways and highways to link the district with key industrial corridors and neighbouring districts. He sanctioned the 162-km Nagpur-Gondia highway (₹18,549 crore), the 94-km Bhandara-Gadchiroli highway (₹12,903 crore), and the Nagpur-Chandrapur expressway, with final costing yet to be determined.