The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to acquire Pune’s Lohegaon road as part of its runway extension project, which has been a long-pending endeavor. In exchange, the IAF will provide land to the Pune civic body for the construction of an alternative route benefiting the residents of Lohegaon and Dhanori.
The Pune Air Force Station has given its preliminary agreement to allocate approximately 23,000 square feet of land for the construction of a 1.8-kilometer road that will serve as the alternative route. The runway extension is of utmost importance to facilitate the operation of widebody aircraft, such as the Airbus A340s and Boeing 747s, which can accommodate a larger number of passengers. Currently, the airport primarily caters to narrowbody aircraft like the Airbus 319s, 320s, and Boeing 737s.
The decision was reached during a joint meeting held at the air force station, attended by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) commissioner Vikram Kumar, additional commissioner Vikas Dhakne, Air Officer Commanding Air Commodore Shekhar Yadav, Pune airport director Santosh Doke, and senior officials from the Indian Air Force and PMC.
Vikas Dhakne, PMC’s additional commissioner, stated that various aspects related to the runway extension were discussed during the meeting. The air force authorities have agreed to provide land near the quarry, enabling the construction of a 1.8-kilometer, 24-meter-wide road. In return, the air force authorities will proceed with the runway extension work.
An anonymous senior IAF officer shared that the existing runway length is 8,333 feet (2,539 meters), and the plan is to extend it to 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). This extension will meet both the operational requirements of the IAF and the civil flight requirements at Pune Airport.
MLA Sunil Tingre, who has been actively pursuing this matter with the PMC and IAF since 2012, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. Tingre emphasized the importance of the PMC promptly commencing the road construction, as it would address the transportation concerns of the residents in the Dhanori and Lohegaon areas. Additionally, the IAF will be able to smoothly execute the runway extension, which is essential given the increasing footfall at Pune Airport.
A senior civic official confirmed that once the land parcel is transferred from the IAF, the PMC will initiate construction work at the earliest. Furthermore, a 10-foot perimeter wall will be constructed along the 1.8-kilometer road to ensure the security of the air force station.
In March of the previous year, the defense ministry approved the transfer of 13 acres of land from the Indian Air Force to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This land was allocated for the relocation of the existing cargo terminal at Pune Airport and the construction of a new domestic and international cargo terminal. Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted that this development would boost cargo operations from Pune, benefitting western Maharashtra’s export of agriculture and industrial products.
The agreement between the IAF and the Pune civic body marks a significant step towards the realization of the runway extension project and the improved connectivity and infrastructure for both military and civilian purposes. It is a positive development that will enhance the efficiency and capabilities of Pune Airport while addressing the transportation needs of the local community.
