Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the Navi Mumbai International Airport will officially be named Loknete DB Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people in Navi Mumbai and surrounding regions. The decision was reaffirmed during a high-level meeting chaired by Fadnavis at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai on Friday (October 3).
Fadnavis stated that the proposal to name the airport after the late Loknete Dinkar Balu Patil has already been approved by the Maharashtra State Cabinet and both Houses of the State Legislature. “The matter was recently placed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has given a positive response to the proposal,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister explained that the Central Government is currently framing a comprehensive policy for naming major infrastructure projects, including airports. Once this policy is finalized, the state-approved proposal will guide the final national-level approval.
Calling the renaming a “moment of justice,” Fadnavis highlighted that it honors the public sentiment and recognizes Loknete DB Patil’s enduring contribution to farmers’ rights and regional development. “This move acknowledges the leadership and vision Patil brought to equitable urban growth in Navi Mumbai and nearby areas,” he said.
The meeting also directed the withdrawal of all pending police cases filed during protests demanding the airport’s naming after Patil. Cases registered during the COVID-19 period related to these demonstrations will also be withdrawn through due legal procedures, ensuring that local youth are not denied employment opportunities because of past protest cases.
Fadnavis further confirmed that two other major airports in Maharashtra are set for renaming: Pune Airport will be named after Jagadguru Sant Tukaram, while Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport will honor Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, with official approvals expected shortly.
Several key leaders and local representatives attended the meeting, including Minister Ganesh Naik, MLAs Ravindra Chavan, Mandatai Mhatre, Mahesh Baldi, Prashant Thakur, and Vikrant Patil. The decision was welcomed by coastal leaders and activists, who hailed it as a symbolic recognition of Loknete DB Patil’s legacy in shaping Navi Mumbai’s social and developmental landscape.
