The Supreme Court has significantly advanced the infrastructure of Nagpur and Vidarbha by closing a curative petition from the Centre and Airports Authority of India (AAI), allowing GMR Airports Ltd to operate and proceed with the long-delayed modernization of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. This modernization plan will introduce state-of-the-art facilities for international cargo and passenger services, positioning Nagpur as a strategic logistics hub and enhancing both domestic and international connectivity while paving the way for future investments in the region. The ruling permits the construction of a new brownfield airport featuring two runways and a world-class international cargo facility.
The curative petition challenged the Maharashtra government’s award of the airport contract to GMR in 2019. A special four-judge Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud found no merit in the plea, noting that it did not meet the legal standards for curative petitions, which require demonstrating ‘glaring errors’ or ‘miscarriage of justice.’
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who envisioned the project during his tenure as Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019, expressed optimism about the airport’s future. He stated that the decision is expected to enhance the Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport (Mihan) project, promoting overall development in the city and region. Fadnavis emphasized that upgrading the airport will be crucial in transforming Nagpur into a regional economic powerhouse and a hub for international trade and commerce.
