Is Pune Airport Getting Renamed? Check the Proposed New Name

The proposal to rename Pune's international airport as "Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport" was approved by the Maharashtra government on September 23. The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The proposal will now be sent to the Center for final approval.

The decision was announced by Chief Minister Shinde in an X (formerly known as Twitter) post, along with information on new initiatives and their benefits for the citizens of the state.

Pune Airport to be Renamed

"The first step towards renaming the international airport in Pune as Jagadguru Santshrestha Tukaram Maharaj Pune International Airport has been taken today, and the proposal given by us has been approved by the state government," announced Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, on X. 

Following its approval in the cabinet meeting, the proposal will be forwarded to the central government for additional processing. 

Fadnavis Approves Renaming in First Cabinet Meet

Earlier on September 21, BJP leader and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "I want to appreciate Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol for his suggestion to name the existing Pune airport after Sant Tukaram Maharaj and to name the new airport in Pune district after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj," during a foundation stone laying ceremony for various programs. The next cabinet meeting will discuss this plan, after which it will be sent to the federal government for approval.

Devendra Fadnavis fulfilled his promise and approved the renaming of the airport in the very first cabinet meeting after this announcement.

What Next?

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari promised at the same ceremony that he would ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi for permission to rename Pune International Airport.

An airport can only be renamed after the state assembly approves a resolution. The Union cabinet must then give its approval before it can be formally announced in the Indian Gazette.

Earlier Modi Government renamed the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram. The government also renamed two hall of the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

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Who is Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj? 

The decision to rename Pune Airport is meant to honor Sant Tukaram Maharaj, an important spiritual leader in Maharashtra’s history. He was born in the district of Pune. He was known for his devotional poetry and his role in the Bhakti movement.

Sant Tukaram had three sons—Mahadev, Vithal, and Narayan—and a daughter named Bhagirathi.

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