Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport will be named after veteran mass leader and farmers’ rights champion late D B Patil, underlining the state government’s intent to honour grassroots leadership that shaped the region’s development.
Speaking at a public gathering in Airoli during the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation election campaign, the Chief Minister said the airport would not only carry Patil’s name but also act as a catalyst for large-scale economic transformation in Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas. He described the city as Mumbai’s natural expansion zone and the next major growth hub of Maharashtra.
According to Fadnavis, the international airport is expected to generate momentum across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, logistics, import-export trade, food processing, innovation-driven industries and services. He said the project would help diversify the local economy and create new employment opportunities for youth.
Highlighting parallel infrastructure upgrades, the Chief Minister noted that major steps are being taken to ease traffic congestion, including improvements at the Kalamboli junction and the construction of the Kharghar–Turbhe tunnel. He also said CIDCO is accelerating work on the metro network to strengthen connectivity across Navi Mumbai.
Addressing civic needs, Fadnavis stated that the Shilar and Poshir water supply projects would help meet the city’s future drinking water demands. He also announced plans for an ambitious “EduCity” initiative, aimed at attracting reputed national and international universities to Navi Mumbai, boosting higher education and skill development.
D B Patil, widely regarded as a voice of the farming community, played a historic role in securing fair compensation and rehabilitation for farmers affected by the Navi Mumbai development project. His contribution in negotiating land rights and justice for project-affected families remains central to the city’s foundation.
