Warangal Airport Expansion Project Gains Momentum as Government Forms Joint Inspection Team for Swift Survey Advancement
Warangal, May 31, Telangana: The expansion project of the Brownfield Warangal (Mamnoor) airport is gaining momentum as the government has formed a joint inspection team to expedite the crucial survey process. The airport’s development aims to improve air connectivity for the residents of Warangal and nearby regions, bolster economic growth, attract investments, and enhance tourism.
The Mamnoor airport, which boasted multiple terminals, was the largest facility of its kind during the pre-independence era. Currently defunct, the airport has been included in the list of proposed airstrips under the UDAN program, a regional airport connectivity initiative.
To facilitate the airport’s development, the state government has already allocated Rs 100 crore. The villages of Nakkalapalli, Gadepalli, and Mamnoor in Khila Warangal Mandal have been identified as suitable locations for the airport’s expansion and encompass the required acreage.
The extension of the runway from 1.8 km to 3.9 km is necessary to accommodate larger aircraft, such as the Boeing 747. District Collector P Pravinya stated that the joint inspection team, comprising representatives from the revenue department, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the Survey and Land Records Department, will formulate a geo-coordinate-based plan for the necessary 271 acres of land. The team has been given one week to complete the survey.
“The state government is fully committed to revitalizing the Warangal airport and will extend all necessary support to the AAI,” affirmed Collector P Pravinya.
The primary objective of the survey is to precisely identify the additional acreage required for the airport’s expansion. Following the completion of the survey, the district administration will initiate the land acquisition process from the farmers.
Under the UDAN scheme, the state government has allocated 950 acres of land in Mamnoor to the AAI for the airport’s development, recognizing its potential due to its proximity to a tourist destination.
To compensate the affected farmers, the collector proposed transferring the 373.02 acres of land currently managed by P V Narasimha Rao Veterinary University, located near Mamnoor village, to the relevant tahsildar. In exchange, the farmers’ landholdings could be purchased and allocated to the AAI.
Reviving the Warangal airport is crucial for the region’s development, particularly with the establishment of the nearby Mega Textile Park.
Once operational, the airport will enhance air connectivity for Warangal residents and nearby regions, fostering economic growth, attracting investments, and promoting tourism.
Since 2018, the state government has been actively involved in revitalizing the Warangal airport. Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, Minister K T Rama Rao, and other public officials have engaged in multiple discussions with the Union Minister of Civil Aviation to resurrect the Mamnoor airport, which ceased operations in 1981.
The airport, initially constructed by the seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, in 1930, served as a hangar for government aircraft during the India-China war when Delhi Airport was a prime target. Numerous freight flights and Vayudooth services were operated from Mamnoor during that time.
