Nagpur: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has urged Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjara- pu Ram Mohan Naidu to introduce direct flights from Nagpur to key international destinations such as Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. The request follows an appeal from the Association of Industrial Development (AID), Nagpur.
With the recent completion of runway recarpeting at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, the facility is now operational 24/7. AID President Ashish Kale emphasized the urgent need for these direct flight services to support the city’s growing industrial and business ecosystem.
This demand is not new—Gadkari had previously raised the issue in October 2024 in Delhi. At the time, flight operations were restricted to eight hours daily due to the ongoing recarpeting work. Now, with round-the-clock operations in place, industry leaders are pushing for improved air connectivity.
Nagpur’s Growing Business and Industrial Hub
Nagpur is rapidly emerging as a major business and industrial hub, attracting leading IT companies such as TCS, Persistent Systems, GlobalLogic, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, Accenture, and Infosys. According to Kale, improved air connectivity with Southeast Asia, Australia, and China would enhance economic growth, attract foreign direct investment (FDI), and create new business opportunities.
The city has recently witnessed an investment of ₹7 lakh crore, with global corporations like Pernod Ricard, Avada Group, and Korean Group establishing operations in Vidarbha. Given this rapid economic expansion, stakeholders are also calling for better domestic connectivity to Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai to support business travel and logistics.
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