Expedite Construction of New Airports in Ujjain and Shivpuri: Union Minister Shri Naidu
More Than 50,000 Passengers from Madhya Pradesh Travelled by Air in Past Six Months
CM Dr. Yadav and Union Minister Shri Naidu Review Aviation Department Activities
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu reviewed ongoing activities related to airport construction and the development and expansion of air services in Madhya Pradesh at a meeting held at Samatva Bhawan, Chief Minister’s Residence, on Sunday.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav informed Union Minister Shri Naidu that eight airports have been developed in the state, while construction of new airports is underway in Ujjain and Shivpuri. He said the state government plans to develop 10 advanced airstrips available in Madhya Pradesh into airports.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said proposals have been prepared under the Central Government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme to convert airstrips at Singrauli, Sagar, Neemuch, Chhindwara, Mandla, Khandwa, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Umaria and Shahdol into airports. Work on these projects will commence as soon as the required support and assistance are received from the Central Government.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said the PM Shri Air Ambulance Service was launched first in Madhya Pradesh and has so far benefited more than 170 critically ill patients. As many as 99% of these patients have been saved. He described the service as the most successful initiative in the country for saving the lives of critically ill patients. The service is being provided free of cost to Ayushman Card holders. Operated by the Health Department, the service promptly transports critically ill patients from any region of the state to higher healthcare facilities.
Union Minister Shri Naidu, appreciating the air ambulance service, said that Madhya Pradesh has set an example for the country. Union Minister Shri Naidu said the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme operated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation has been extended for another 10 years and will now continue until 2036. The Central Government has set a target of developing 100 new airports across the country over the next 10 years. He said airports would be developed at all proposed locations in Madhya Pradesh under the UDAN scheme. The Centre would extend full support to Madhya Pradesh’s proposal to convert the 10 identified airstrips into airports. In the first phase, five new airports will be developed in the state. The first will be developed in Singrauli, the most distant municipal corporation from Bhopal and a major energy hub of the state.
Union Minister Shri Naidu directed officials of the Airports Authority of India and the state Aviation Department to expedite the construction of new airports in Ujjain and Shivpuri. He directed that all necessary environmental clearances for the Ujjain Airport be obtained by October 10, 2026. Union Minister emphasised the need to accelerate the work, as the airport would prove extremely useful in facilitating the movement of domestic and international devotees during Simhastha 2028. He said a greenfield airport is proposed to be developed in Shivpuri and directed that a new site for the project be identified at the earliest.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Union Minister Shri Naidu for approving the development of five new airports in Madhya Pradesh during the meeting. Additional Chief Secretary, Aviation Department, Shri Sanjay Kumar Shukla briefed Chief Minister Dr. Yadav and Union Minister Shri Naidu about the emerging civil aviation ecosystem and new initiatives in Madhya Pradesh. He said more than 50,000 passengers from Madhya Pradesh had travelled by air in the past six months. This reflects the growing confidence of passengers in the rapidly expanding air services in the state. The Chief Minister informed that the state is operating PM Shri Air Tourism Service, PM Shri Heli Tourism Service and PM Shri Air Ambulance Service. He also said that, following the state government’s efforts, a direct international flight from Indore to Abu Dhabi commenced last month. Four new direct air services are also being launched from today.
Chief Secretary Shri Ashok Barnwal, Union Civil Aviation Secretary Shri Sameer Kumar Sinha, Member (Planning), Airports Authority of India, Shri Anil Kumar Gupta, Regional Executive Director, Western Region, Airports Authority of India, Shri H. Pulla, Commissioner, Aviation, Shri Chandramauli Shukla and other officials were present at the meeting.
