**Subject:** Proposal for Development of Airport at Dahod, Gujarat
**Summary:**
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 723, concerning the development of an airport in Dahod district, Gujarat. The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirms receipt of a proposal from the State Government of Gujarat for the development of a new airport/airstrip in Dahod.
A pre-feasibility study conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) recommends Dahod for Code-3C type aircraft operations under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), contingent upon clearance from the Ministry of Defence and the removal of natural and man-made obstacles.
Inclusion of the Dahod airstrip under the UDAN scheme to promote socioeconomic development is contingent on the Government of Gujarat submitting a formal request. Subsequent inclusion in the RCS Document for future bidding rounds would then be considered. Development would proceed upon receipt of a valid bid and award for operation of RCS flights.
Regarding temporary air connectivity to major airports such as Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Indore, the Ministry clarifies that since the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in 1994 and subsequent deregulation of Indian aviation, air connectivity from any airport is dependent on its operational readiness and the commercial viability for airlines to operate to and from that location.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector.
SHRI JASWANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR: Member of Parliament who raised the question about the Dahod airport development.
Dahod district of Gujarat: The specific geographic location where the proposed airport/airstrip development is planned.
UDAN scheme: A regional airport development and Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) of the Government of India, with the goal of 'Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik' (Let the common citizen fly).
Vadodara, Gujarat: A major city in Gujarat, India, mentioned as a potential temporary air connectivity point for Dahod.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat: A major city in Gujarat, India, mentioned as a potential temporary air connectivity point for Dahod.
Indore, Madhya Pradesh: A major city in Madhya Pradesh, India, mentioned as a potential temporary air connectivity point for Dahod.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): The organization that conducted the Pre-Feasibility study for the proposed airport site in Dahod.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 723
th
(To be answered on the 24 July 2025)
DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPORT AT DAHOD
723. SHRI JASWANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Ministry of Civil Aviation has received any proposal from the
State Government for developing a new airport/airstrip in Dahod district of
Gujarat and if so, the details thereof along with the status of the project, the
estimated cost and the expected date of
commencement of work;
(b) whether the proposed airport is intended to be covered under UDAN
scheme to promote socio-economic development, industrial growth and
tourism sectors of a tribal and backward district like Dahod and if so, the
details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government has formulated any short-term plan to provide
temporary air connectivity for Dahod to major airports like Vadodara,
Ahmedabad and Indore until the construction of the said airport is completed
and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a): On the request of the State Government of Gujarat, a multi-disciplinary
team of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) visited the proposed site for
conducting the Pre-Feasibility study. As per the study, Dahod is
recommended for Code-3C type of aircraft in IFR rule, subject to the
clearance from the Ministry of Defence, and fulfillment of the removal of
natural/man-made obstacles.
(b): If the Government of Gujarat submits a request for inclusion of Dahod
airstrip under the UDAN scheme, it can be included in the RCS Document for
future rounds of bidding. An airstrip is taken up for development on receipt
of a valid bid and awarded for the operation of RCS flights.(c) With the repeal of Air Corporation Act in March 1994, Indian aviation has
been deregulated. Connectivity from any airport depends on the operational
readiness of the airport as per the relevant regulations and the willingness of
the airlines to operate to/from that airport based on their commercial
viability.
*****