Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has approved a budget of Rs 200 crore for constructing a new runway parallel to the existing one at Ozar airport. The decision comes in response to the growing passenger traffic at Nashik airport and the upcoming Kumbh Mela. The project is expected to be completed in two years.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal had written to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in July 2024 and January 2025, requesting approval for the new runway under the India-Middle East Economic Corridor. Following this, the Union Home Ministry has granted permission for an international passenger screening facility at Nashik airport. This approval paves the way for international flights from Nashik in the future.
A detailed project report has been prepared for the new runway, which will be 3 kilometers long and 45 meters wide, similar to the current one. Once the technical survey is completed, the tender process will begin. The construction is expected to take around two years.
In 2022, Nashik airport was closed for 14 days due to runway repairs. With the addition of a second runway, flight operations can continue even during maintenance work. The new runway will enhance Nashik’s air connectivity at the national and international levels, boosting the city’s growth.
HAL has appointed a consulting agency to design the runway and oversee technical aspects. A technical survey has already begun, marking the first step toward expanding Nashik’s aviation infrastructure.