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Nashik Airport Expansion For Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027: New Terminal, 24 Counters, Key Features | Explained
Nashik Airport Expansion For Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027: New Terminal, 24 Counters, Key Features | Explained
Big changes are on the way for Maharashtra’s Nashik as the city prepares for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in 2027. With crores of devotees expected to arrive during the religious gathering, the state government has approved a major expansion of Nashik (Ozar) Airport to handle the surge.
The expansion has been planned to prevent congestion and ensure smoother air travel during the festival. Authorities reportedly say the current infrastructure would not be enough to manage the sharp rise in passenger traffic expected during the Kumbh period.
Airport Expansion Cleared Ahead Of Kumbh
The airport will get a new integrated terminal building covering around 18,250 square metres, according to reports. The project aims to increase passenger handling capacity from about 300 passengers per hour to nearly 1,000 passengers per hour once completed.
The new terminal will include 24 check-in counters to reduce long queues. Plans also mention improved security screening systems, upgraded baggage-handling carousels, and aerobridges to allow passengers to board directly without walking across the tarmac.
A large apron area of reportedly about 1.15 lakh square metres will also be developed. This will increase aircraft parking bays from six to 12, allowing multiple aircraft to operate at the same time. A proposal for a parallel runway is also under discussion, which could be supported by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), as per reports. This would ensure that airport operations are not completely halted if maintenance is required on the main runway.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the terminal project. According to officials, the Maharashtra government will fully fund the airport upgrade. The estimated cost currently stands at around Rs 572 crore, though some reports suggest the final expenditure could rise to about Rs 640 crore.
Authorities have set a deadline of March 2027 to complete the work. Officials say this timeline is important so that testing and trial operations can be carried out before the Kumbh Mela reaches peak footfall.
Passenger Traffic Has Been Rising Steadily
According to reports, passenger numbers at Nashik airport have already shown steady growth. Between April and December 2025, the airport handled nearly 0.3 million passengers, reflecting a year-on-year increase of around 23 per cent.
At present, IndiGo is the only airline operating scheduled commercial flights from Nashik. The routes connect the city to Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Goa and Hyderabad. Officials believe that after the expansion, more airlines may consider starting services from Nashik due to improved infrastructure.
Cargo movement has also seen activity. Reports state that from April to November last year, the airport handled more than 6,400 metric tonnes of international cargo. A significant portion reportedly included goat exports to West Asia. Authorities believe better facilities could further strengthen cargo operations, especially for agricultural produce and other exports from the region.
66-Km Ring Road To Ease City Traffic
Along with the airport expansion, a 66.15-km outer ring road is being developed around Nashik city. According to officials, the project is expected to be completed before the 2027 Kumbh Mela to manage road traffic.
The ring road is being implemented by the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC). The total project cost is estimated at Rs 7,922 crore, which includes land acquisition and civil construction.
Reports state that 386 hectares of land across 25 villages surrounding Nashik will be acquired for the project. The land acquisition cost, estimated at around Rs 3,659.47 crore, will be borne by the state government. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will fund the civil works amounting to approximately Rs 4,262.64 crore.
Kumbh Mela Authority commissioner Shekhar Singh reportedly said the administration has started acquiring land and is holding discussions with farmers whose land will be affected. He assured that compensation would be provided as per government norms. Officials added that they are in continuous dialogue with farmer groups to address concerns and avoid delays.
The outer ring road will begin and end at Adgaon. It will pass through major stretches including DRDO Junction, Dindori Road, Dakambale Shivar, Peth-Gavalwadi, Gangapur Road, Govardhan, Trimbak Road, Belgaon Dhaga and Vilholi.
According to officials, the ring road aims to divert heavy vehicles and long-distance traffic away from the city centre. This is expected to reduce congestion on internal roads during the Kumbh and improve overall traffic flow.
Focus On Handling Huge Crowds In 2027
Nashik is one of the four cities in India that host the Kumbh Mela every 12 years. According to reports, nearly 2 crore devotees visited the city during the 2015 event. The upcoming Kumbh 2027 is expected to draw more than 5 crore visitors.
Officials say the airport upgrade and the outer ring road are part of a broader infrastructure push to manage the anticipated crowd. Beyond the religious event, these projects are expected to improve Nashik’s long-term connectivity and support business, tourism and industrial growth in the region.
Source: News18
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