Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde on Fridy said that Navi Mumbai International Airport will be named after Shiv Sena founder late Bal Thackeray.
The airport in Navi Mumbai once fully ready will lessen the pressure on the Mumbai international airport.
A few local politicians had demanded that the new airport be named after farmer leader late D B Patil. "We have a lot of respect for D B Patil. The Chief Minister has requested the action committee to recommend any other project (to be named after Patil)," Shinde, a senior Shiv Sena leader, said.
"One meeting has taken place (with the committee) and one more will take place. A positive outcome is expected," he added.
City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the state-run planning agency which is executing the greenfield airport project, proposed that it be named after Bal Thackeray.