AAI and Madhya Pradesh Government Seal Deal for Shivpuri Airport Development

The Airports Authority of India and the Government of Madhya Pradesh have inked a Memorandum of Understanding to develop Shivpuri Airport under the Regional Connectivity Scheme. The development will cater to 19-seater aircraft initially, with future expansion to accommodate ATR-72 aircraft, enhancing regional aviation infrastructure.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Government of Madhya Pradesh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of Shivpuri Airport. This initiative falls under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), known as UDAN. The announcement came as several key agreements for Operation & Maintenance and the provision of Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management services were finalized on October 10, 2024. Representatives including N.V. Subbarayudu, Executive Director, Sajith Kumar, General Manager (ATM/ATS) Delhi, and Ramji Awasthi, Airport Director, signed on behalf of the AAI. Chandramouli Shukla, Commissioner of Aviation, represented the Madhya Pradesh government.

Per the MoU and associated agreements, development work at Shivpuri airstrip will commence shortly. The initial phase will see the airport accommodating 19-seater aircraft, with plans to expand to handle ATR-72 aircraft in the foreseeable future. To facilitate this development, the state government is set to transfer 292 acres of land to the AAI shortly.

Designated under the UDAN 5.2 phase, Shivpuri Airport is set for transformation, receiving bids for operations between Shivpuri and Bhopal from the new start-up airline Spirit Air. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has allocated Rs 45 crore for this development. Established by an Act of Parliament in 1995, the AAI now manages 133 airports across India, providing extensive air navigation services over 2.8 million square nautical miles of airspace.

(With inputs from agencies.)