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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. : 173
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9th March 2026
MODERNISATION OF KOLHAPUR AIRPORT
173. SHRI DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government proposes to expand and modernize Kolhapur airport in the State of
Maharashtra to improve regional air connectivity;
(b) the present status of runway expansion, navigational aids and safety infrastructure at the
airport;
(c) whether any timelines have been fixed for attracting additional airlines and destinations
under the UDAN or other schemes; and
(d) the measures being taken to address operational challenges so as to ensure regular,
affordable and reliable air services for passengers, businesses and tourists from the Kolhapur
region?
ANSWER
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
******STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) IN RESPECT OF
RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 173 FOR REPLY ON 09.03.2026
REGARDING MODERNISATION OF KOLHAPUR AIRPORT ASKED BY SHRI
DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK
(a) & (b): The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has requested 65.71 acre land from the State
Government of Maharashtra for extension of runway to 2300 meters at Kolhapur Airport.
Out of the total land requirement, 22.12 acres have been taken over by AAI. The
commencement of the runway extension work is contingent upon the handing over of the
remaining land by the State Government, free from all encumbrances.
With regard to navigational and safety infrastructure, Doppler Very High Frequency
Omnidirectional Range (DVOR) and High Power Distance Measuring Equipment (HPDME)
have been installed and operationalised on 31.10.2024. In addition, AAI has undertaken
installation of a new Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the airport.
(c) & (d): Kolhapur Airport has been developed and operationalised under the Regional
Connectivity Scheme-UDAN. With the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994,
Indian domestic aviation has been fully deregulated. Airlines are free to select markets and
routes, induct any aircraft type, and operate in compliance with the Routes Dispersal
Guidelines (RDG) issued by the government. Therefore, the decision to introduce air services
to or from any airport depends on the airline operator's operational and commercial viability.
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