## Policy Summary: Development of Cargo Airports in Madhya Pradesh
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3217, addressed on August 7, 2025, regarding the development of cargo airports or air cargo terminals in Madhya Pradesh, specifically within the Dewas-Shajapur Lok Sabha Constituency.
The Ministry, represented by the Minister of State Shri Murlidhar Mohol, clarified that there are no current proposals to establish a dedicated cargo airport in the Dewas-Shajapur region. The existing cargo facilities at Indore and Bhopal airports are deemed sufficient to serve the cargo needs of this region. These facilities include dedicated cargo terminals at both Indore and Bhopal, along with cargo handling capabilities through passenger terminals at Gwalior and Jabalpur airports.
However, the government is actively strengthening air logistics infrastructure in Tier-2 industrial corridors, including central Madhya Pradesh, through the expansion of dedicated cargo terminals and the utilization of passenger terminals at smaller airports. This includes implementing cold storage and temperature-controlled systems to support the handling of high-value and perishable goods. Furthermore, the government provides support by reimbursing Customs Cost Recovery Charges (CCRC) at Tier II/III airports of AAI/AAICLAS Terminals, aiming to reduce operational costs for cargo terminals.
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 in the country.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Mahendra Singh Solanky: Member of Parliament who raised the question about development of cargo airports.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in central India, the focus of the query regarding cargo airport development.
DewasShajapur Lok Sabha Constituency: A parliamentary constituency in Madhya Pradesh, specifically mentioned for potential cargo airport development.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
PM Gati Shakti: A national master plan for multi-modal connectivity in India, aimed at integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure projects.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): The organisation responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3217
th
(To be answered on the 7 August 2025)
DEVELOPMENT OF CARGO AIRPORTS IN MADHYA PRADESH
3217. SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government proposes to develop cargo airports or air cargo
terminals in Madhya Pradesh, especially in Dewas-Shajapur Lok Sabha
Constituency and if so, the details of study conducted for the purpose thereof;
(b) whether Dewas-Shajapur region has been considered for cargo air
connectivity due to its industrial, agri-processing and pharmaceutical sectors
and if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, whether the Government is willing to assess the feasibility of setting
up a cargo air terminal or upgrading an airstrip in Dewas-Shajapur belt
under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or PM Gati Shakti framework and if
so, the details thereof; and
(d) the measures being taken by the Government to strengthen air logistics
infrastructure in tier-2 industrial corridors like those in central Madhya
Pradesh, especially in Dewas-Shajapur region?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (c) Presently, there are four Airports with air cargo facility in the State
of Madhya Pradesh viz. Indore (dedicated cargo facility), Bhopal (dedicated
cargo facility), Gwalior (through passenger terminal) & Jabalpur (through
passenger terminal) Airports.
There is no proposal to set up a cargo airport in Dewas-Shajapur
Constituency of Madhya Pradesh, as existing cargo operations at Bhopal and
Indore cater to the Dewas-Shajapur region.
(d) The Government is enhancing air logistics infrastructure in Tier-2
industrial corridors by expanding dedicated cargo terminals and utilizing
passenger terminals at smaller airports. To support the handling of high-valueand perishable goods, cold storage and temperature-controlled systems are
being implemented. Measures such as reimbursement of Customs Cost
Recovery Charges (CCRC) at Tier-II/III airports of AAI/AAICLAS
Terminals are also provided to reduce operational costs of the airports/ cargo
terminals.
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