Loknete D. B. Patil To Be The Official Name Of Navi Mumbai International Airport: CM Fadnavis Confirms PM Modi’s Nod

Pune And Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airports To Get New Names Soon; Cases Against Protesters To Be Withdrawn

By YNN Pro Bureau – Mumbai | October 3

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the Navi Mumbai International Airport will officially be named after Loknete D. B. Patil, following a positive response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The state government’s long-standing proposal for this naming has now received in-principle approval, marking a significant step toward honoring the leader’s legacy.

Speaking to media in Mumbai, Fadnavis clarified that the state government has not changed its stance, and the Centre has no objection. “The airport was earlier approved under the name Navi Mumbai International Airport when the project began. Now, after expansion, it will be called Loknete D. B. Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport, as per the proposal sent by the state,” said the Chief Minister.

Fadnavis confirmed that when passenger operations begin, the airport will officially be inaugurated under this new name. Currently, preparations are underway for dry runs, technical clearances, and advance passenger bookings.

The Chief Minister added that the state legislature has already passed resolutions in both Houses, and the Cabinet has forwarded proposals to the Centre not only for Navi Mumbai but also for the renaming of the Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar airports.

Pune Airport is proposed to be renamed “Jagadguru Sant Tukaram International Airport”.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport will be named “Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Airport”.

According to Fadnavis, the Centre is finalizing a uniform national policy on airport naming, and approvals for all three proposals are expected soon.

In a major relief to activists, Fadnavis also announced that criminal cases filed against protesters who had demanded the airport naming will be withdrawn. “No one should face employment barriers at the airport because of these cases,” he said. For offences filed under COVID-19 regulations, due legal procedures will be followed to seek court permission for withdrawal.

At the event, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik delivered the welcome address, while MLA Ravindra Chavan, Committee Chair Dashrath Patil, former MP Kapil Patil, MP Suresh (Balya) Mhatre, MLAs Prashant Thakur and Manda Mhatre shared their views. Other notable attendees included MLA Mahesh Baldi, former MPs Sanjay Patil, Sanjeev Naik, and Ram Sheth Thakur, along with local representatives and members of the All-Party Airport Naming Committee.