**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 402 regarding the establishment of an immigration checkpoint at Nashik Ozar Airport. The response, dated July 22, 2025, addresses inquiries concerning approval for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to establish the checkpoint, infrastructure verification by the Bureau of Immigration (BoI), plans to expedite operationalization, timelines for handling international passengers during the Simhastha Kumbha Mela, and inter-ministerial coordination efforts.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs clarified that the government has *not* granted approval to HAL for establishing a full-fledged immigration checkpoint for international scheduled passenger flights at Nashik Ozar Airport. The BoI assessment concluded that the available area for immigration clearance is insufficient for handling such flights. However, the BoI has verified that the infrastructure is adequate to accommodate operating crew and passengers of cargo-chartered flights.
The necessary infrastructure and immigration systems are in place to support domestic and international cargo routes operated by Indian flight operators. Furthermore, the BoI has provided the required training for conducting immigration checks to the police personnel already stationed at Nashik Ozar Airport. The government indicates its commitment to inter-ministerial coordination to ensure smooth functioning of the existing facilities to boost regional connectivity and tourism in Nashik, within the scope of current infrastructural capabilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Home Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for internal security and law and order.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited: An Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company.
Nashik Ozar Airport: An airport located in Nashik, Maharashtra.
Bureau of Immigration: The Indian government agency responsible for immigration matters.
Simhastha Kumbha Mela: A Hindu festival held in Nashik, Maharashtra.
Maharashtra: A state in India where Nashik Ozar Airport and Simhastha Kumbha Mela are located.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 402
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 22ND JULY, 2025/ ASHADHA 13, 1947 (SAKA)
IMMIGRATION CHECKPOINT AT NASHIK AIRPORT
402. SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has granted approval to Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for establishing an immigration checkpoint at
Nashik (Ozar) Airport, following inspections and confirmation by the
Bureau of Immigration (BoI);
(b) whether the Bureau of Immigration has verified that the infrastructure
for international arrivals, departures, customs offices, and immigration
counters meets the required standards;
(c) whether the Government proposes to expedite the remaining
procedural formalities and deployment of trained immigration staff and
systems to operationalize this facility;
(d) if so, the timeframe by which the immigration checkpoint will be made
functional to handle international passengers for the upcoming Simhastha
Kumbha Mela; and
(e) the details of steps being taken or planned by the Government to
ensure inter-ministerial coordination for smooth functioning of this
checkpoint and boost regional connectivity and tourism in Nashik?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)
(a): No, Sir.-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 402 FOR 22.07.2025
(b) to (e): Yes, Sir. After assessing the infrastructure requirements,
Bureau of Immigration (BOI) has recommended that the area available for
immigration clearance at Nashik (Ozar) airport is not sufficient for
operating full international scheduled passenger flights. It is adequate to
house operating crew and passenger of cargo/chartered flights only. The
required infrastructure and Immigration systems are in place to cater to
domestic and international cargo routes through Indian flight operators and
the necessary training for conducting Immigration checks has been
imparted by BoI to the police personnel who are already attached to
Nashik (Ozar) airport.
*******