Civil aviation is significant for Pune as the city’s airport is planning an expansion, and there is an ongoing proposal for a new airport at Purandar.
Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol, recently sworn in as Minister of State in the Union Cabinet, has been assigned two key portfolios: Civil Aviation and Cooperation, according to the announcement from Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday evening.
Civil aviation is crucial for Pune, as the city’s airport is planning an expansion and there is a proposal for a new airport at Purandar. Since Pune lacks a dedicated civil airport, flight operations at the Lohegaon airbase, which is under the Ministry of Defence, face limitations.
Mohol is the third person from Pune to join the Union Cabinet, following Suresh Kalmadi of the Congress and Prakash Javadekar of the BJP. He is also the second Lok Sabha MP from Pune to become a union minister in nearly 30 years, succeeding Kalmadi, as Javadekar was a Rajya Sabha member.
When asked about his significant portfolios as Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Cooperation and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Mohol stated, “As I have said before, I will approach every task assigned to me with complete seriousness. I am particularly pleased to work under the leadership of Amit Shah, the Cabinet Minister for Cooperation.”
Following the announcement of portfolio allocations, many expressed optimism that Murlidhar Mohol, with his civil aviation portfolio, would be able to advance the Pune airport project.
Industrialist and former MCCIA president Sudhir Mehta stated, “Just spoke to the new MOS for Civil Aviation and MOS for Cooperation, our very own Murlidhar Mohol. This is by far the biggest boost for Pune’s economy, infrastructure, and connectivity. Looking forward to working closely with Murli Anna.”
Prashant Girbane, director general of MCCIA, commented, “MCCIA looks forward to collaborating with you on achieving ‘better civil aviation days ahead’ for the Pune region.”
City-based entrepreneur Amit Paranjape posted on X, “Civil Aviation is an important area for Pune, as most Punekars know! 🙂 Great to hear that Murlidhar Mohol is getting this portfolio.”
The Ministry of Cooperation is also considered crucial, as western Maharashtra hosts numerous cooperative institutions, including sugar mills and credit societies. Amit Shah serves as the Cabinet Minister for Cooperation.