**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Starred Question No. 193 in the Lok Sabha, concerning air connectivity in Hingoli, to be answered on February 12, 2026. The question seeks information regarding the feasibility of developing air infrastructure in the Hingoli Lok Sabha Constituency and surrounding Marathwada region. The Minister of Civil Aviation lays a statement on the table of the House in response.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Greenfield Airports Policy (GFA):**
* The Government of India has a GFA Policy from 2008.
* Airport developers, including State Governments, are required to identify a site, conduct a pre-feasibility study, and submit a proposal for 'Site Clearance' and 'In-Principle' approval.
* No proposal seeking 'Site Clearance' under the GFA Policy has been received for Hingoli.
* **Existing Air Connectivity:**
* Nanded and Amravati, located near Hingoli, have scheduled flight operations.
* **Airport Development & Expansion:**
* Development of Greenfield airports and expansion/modernisation of existing airports is a continuous process.
* It is undertaken by airport operators/developers based on traffic forecast, commercial feasibility, operational requirements, and airline demand.
* **UDAN Scheme:**
* The government has launched the modified UDAN Scheme.
* It aims to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations across the country.
* It aims to cater to 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years.
* It will support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational, and North East region districts.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Local People, Traders, Students, and Patients in Hingoli and Marathwada**
* **Impact:** Currently compelled to travel long distances to reach airports located in other districts due to the absence of a nearby operational airport. The UDAN scheme may provide some future relief.
* **Action Required:** Follow the progress of the UDAN scheme and the development of air infrastructure in nearby regions.
**Stakeholder: Airport Developers (including State Government)**
* **Impact:** Potential developers need to adhere to the GFA policy for airport development.
* **Action Required:** If interested in developing an airport in Hingoli, they must identify a suitable site, conduct a pre-feasibility study, and submit a proposal for 'Site Clearance' and 'In-Principle' approval.
**Stakeholder: Industrial Investors, Tourism Operators, and Emergency Medical Service Providers**
* **Impact:** Currently affected by inadequate air connectivity, which adversely affects industrial investment, administrative mobility, tourism development, and emergency medical services.
* **Action Required:** Follow the progress of initiatives aimed at improving air connectivity in the region, such as the UDAN scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
UDAN Scheme: A government scheme to increase regional air connectivity, supporting helipads and smaller airports.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The ministry responsible for answering questions related to air connectivity.
Lok Sabha: The house of Parliament where the starred question was raised.
Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008: A policy outlining the procedure for the development of new airports, including site clearance and approvals.
Hingoli: Lok Sabha Constituency and region where air connectivity is being discussed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. : 193
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12th February 2026 )
AIR CONNECTIVITY IN HINGOLI
193. SHRI AASHTIKAR PATIL NAGESH BAPURAO
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that due to the absence of any nearby
operational airport in Hingoli Lok Sabha Constituency and the surrounding Marathwada
region, the local people, traders, students and patients are compelled to travel long
distances to reach at airports located in other districts and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether inadequate air connectivity is adversely affecting industrial investment,
administrative mobility, tourism development and emergency medical services in Hingoli
Lok Sabha Constituency and the surrounding Marathwada region;
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the concrete steps taken by the Government so far
to provide air connectivity including construction of helipads and deployment of air
ambulances in Hingoli Lok Sabha Constituency or in the adjoining districts;
(d) whether the Government has conducted any survey or technical study so far for the
development of a mini airstrip/airstrip or aviation hub in the said region and if so, the
details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to make any special provision in the upcoming
Union Budget for the development of runways, navigation facilities and air safety
infrastructure in backward and remote regions of the country including Hingoli and if so,
the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.
******STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 193* FOR REPLY ON 12.02.2026 REGARDING "AIR
CONNECTIVITY IN HINGOLI" ASKED BY SHRI AASHTIKAR PATIL NAGESH
BAPURAO
(a) to (e): Government of India (GoI) has formulated a Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy,
2008. As per the policy, if any airport developer including State Government desires to
develop an airport, they are required to identify a suitable site and get the Pre-feasibility
Study conducted and submit a proposal to GoI for 'Site Clearance' followed by 'In-
Principle' approval.
No proposal seeking 'Site Clearance' under GFA Policy for development of a Greenfield
Airport in Hingoli Loksabha constituency has been received.
Nanded and Amravati, in the vicinity of Hingoli, have scheduled flight operations.
Development of Greenfield airports and expansion / modernisation of existing airport
infrastructure is a continuous process, undertaken by the airport operators/developers as
per traffic forecast, commercial feasibility, operational requirements, demand from
airlines, etc.
To further strengthen and expand regional air connectivity, the Government has
announced the launch of the modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional connectivity
to 120 new destinations across the country, to cater to 4 crore passengers over the next 10
years. The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational,
and North East region districts.
******