The Union government has given in-principle clearance for a new airport in Adilabad, splitting responsibilities between the Defence Ministry and the Civil Aviation Ministry.
Under the plan, Defence will handle the core airport infrastructure, while Civil Aviation will take charge of the civilian enclave and flight operations.
The decision came out of a high-level meeting in New Delhi led by Rajnath Singh, with participation from K. Rammohan Naidu, G. Kishan Reddy, Adilabad MP G. Nagesh, and senior officials.
After the meeting, Rammohan Naidu said a joint ground survey is scheduled for April 17. Teams from both ministries, along with state government officials, will assess the site on the ground.
The proposed location already includes about 360 acres under Defence control. But to build a full-fledged runway, an additional 430 acres will be needed. A request has been sent to the state government, and local residents have reportedly expressed willingness to contribute nearly 450 acres.
The structure is straightforward: Defence builds, Civil Aviation operates. Civilian flights can begin once construction is complete.
Upcoming surveys will focus on technical details like Obstacle Limitation Surface and runway alignment, ensuring the airport can handle aircraft such as the Airbus A220. A detailed master plan will follow these assessments.
Once the foundation stone is laid, construction is expected to take roughly two to two-and-a-half years. Defence is also exploring the possibility of setting up a training facility at the site.
Naidu pointed out that Adilabad’s location works in its favor — far from Hyderabad’s airport but strategically close to Nagpur and Akola — making it a strong candidate for boosting regional air connectivity.
