In a significant move, the Maharashtra government approved a proposal to rename Pune Airport as Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting on Monday and will now be forwarded to the central government for final approval.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, expressed his gratitude to the Mahayuti government—comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—via a post on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, “Thank you, Mahayuti government! Thank you, Devendraji! The first step towards naming the international airport in Pune as ‘Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport’ has been taken today.”
Mohol emphasized the historical significance of the name, stating, “Sant Tukaram was born in Lohegaon, where Pune International Airport is located. He spent his childhood there, creating a close relationship between Lohegaon and Sant Tukaram.” He noted that the proposal was made with the support of the local villagers and the warkari community across Maharashtra.
The minister highlighted Sant Tukaram’s profound contributions to the propagation of Bhagwat Dharma and his enduring impact on society. “Naming the airport after Sant Tukaram resonates with the sentiments of many and acknowledges his legacy,” Mohol added.
He also mentioned that Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has discussed the proposal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, indicating that the central cabinet would soon deliberate on the matter.
Mohol expressed confidence that the process for renaming the airport would be completed swiftly, further solidifying Sant Tukaram’s place in Maharashtra’s cultural and spiritual landscape.
