The Ministry of Civil Aviation addressed concerns regarding the transfer of the Hadapsar Gliding Centre land in Pune to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). A committee was formed in 2021 to assess the redevelopment of the Gliding Centre. Based on the committee's recommendations and the Solicitor General of India's opinion, the decision to transfer the land from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to AAI was made to avoid a potential conflict of interest, as DGCA is the air safety regulator. The revival of the Gliding Centre will be undertaken by a private entity selected through a competitive process based on commercial viability. Gliding and other air sports activities will continue at the Gliding Centre. DGCA conducts examinations for pilot licensing and authorizations, including candidates from the Gliding Centre Pune (GCP), to encourage indigenous glider pilot training capacity.
Key Entities Referenced
Hadapsar Gliding Centre: A gliding center located in Pune, Maharashtra, that is the subject of a proposed transfer and redevelopment plan.
Pune, Maharashtra: A city in the state of Maharashtra, India, where the Hadapsar Gliding Centre is located.
Airports Authority of India AAI: An organization to which the Hadapsar Gliding Centre land is being transferred.
Ministry of Civil Aviation MoCA: The Indian government ministry responsible for civil aviation matters, which constituted a committee to examine the redevelopment of the Gliding Centre.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA: The sovereign air safety regulator in India, which previously operated the Hadapsar Gliding Centre. It conducts examinations for pilot licenses related to gliding.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Solicitor General of India: Provided opinion regarding the transfer of the Hadapsar Gliding Centre land.
Pilot LicenceGlider: License issued by DGCA after oral examinations
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3039
th
(To be answered on the 7 August 2025)
DEVELOPMENT OF HADAPSAR GLIDING CENTRE
3039. SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH
SMT SUPRIYA SULE
PROF VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has undertaken a detailed assessment regarding
the specific objectives behind transferring the Hadapsar Gliding Centre land
in Pune to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has formulated a comprehensive revival and
development plan for the Gliding Centre under AAI’s management including
the proposed timeline and implementation strategy;
(c) the steps being taken to ensure that the Gliding Centre continues to
function as a hub for gliding and air sports activities and is not repurposed for
non-aviation infrastructure;
(d) whether the Government has any proposal for private sector involvement
in the operation and management (O&M) of the Hadapsar Gliding Centre
and if so, the details thereof along with the role and scope of such
participation; and
(e) the safeguards being put in place to ensure that private participation does
not affect public interest, accessibility or the continuity of air sports activities
at the Centre?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) constituted a committee in 2021 to
examine the issue of Gliding Centre Pune redevelopment. Based on the
recommendations of the Committee and opinion from the Solicitor General of
India, it was decided to transfer the Hadapsar Gliding Centre land from
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to the Airports Authority of
India (AAI). The decision was taken to avoid potential conflict of interest of
DGCA which is the sovereign air safety regulator, itself operating a glidingcentre.
(b) to (e) A private entity selected by a competitive process for O&M will
revive the gliding centre Pune based on its commercial viability.
Gliding and other air sports activities will continue at Gliding Centre.
Following step has been undertaken to ensure that the Gliding Centre
continues to function as a dedicated hub for gliding:
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducts oral examinations for
the issuance of Pilot Licence-Glider, Glider Instructor Authorizations and
Aircraft Technical Specific Examination. This includes examination and
evaluation of candidates from the Gliding Centre Pune (GCP), thereby
encouraging the development of indigenous glider pilot training capacity.
*****