News Brief
Regional Air Connectivity In Madhya Pradesh Gets Major Push With Inauguration Of Satna And Datia Airports
Satna Airport
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (31 May) virtually inaugurated the newly developed Satna Airport and the upgraded Datia Airport in Madhya Pradesh.
This marks a significant step forward in the Centre’s push for regional air connectivity under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme.
Satna Airport: Opening New Skies For Northeast Madhya Pradesh
Developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at a cost of Rs 36.96 crore, the Satna Airport is set to serve as a crucial aviation hub for the northeastern districts of Madhya Pradesh.
With proximity to key religious and industrial centres like Chitrakoot and Maihar, the airport is expected to offer both passenger convenience and economic impetus.
The terminal building, spread over 768 square meters, has a handling capacity of 50 passengers during peak hours and an annual footfall of up to 2.5 lakh.
The airport is equipped with modern passenger amenities, a recarpeted runway, apron facilities for Dornier-228 aircraft, and dedicated infrastructure including an ATC tower and fire station.
Sustainability features include LED lighting, solar-powered streetlights, and treated water reuse for horticulture.
The airport can handle 150 passengers per hour and up to 2.5 lakh passengers annually, with facilities geared for ATR-72 aircraft and future plans for A-320 operations.
The airport infrastructure includes a newly recarpeted runway, apron bays, ATC tower, and a fire station, alongside sustainability measures like rainwater harvesting and energy-efficient lighting systems.
Transforming Regional Aviation And Local Economies
Both projects are part of the government’s broader push to democratise air travel through the UDAN scheme and to bridge the gap between Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities with the national aviation network.
The operationalisation of these airports is expected to generate employment, attract investments in tourism and allied sectors, and enhance overall accessibility in the Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand regions.
In a statement, the Civil Aviation Ministry said that these projects are a "testimony to the government’s unwavering dedication to transforming the aviation landscape in India and making development reach the last mile".
