Gujarat: PM Narendra Modi To Inaugurate State’s Largest Greenfield Airport At Hirasar On 27 July

The Prime Minister is scheduled for a two-day trip to Gujarat from 27 July to 28 July, 2023.

During the visit, he will be inaugurating Gujarat's first greenfield airport — known as the Hirasar International Airport near Rajkot on Thursday (27 July), reports Times of India.

The foundation stone for the international airport was laid by the Prime Minister during the Bhoomi poojan ceremony on 7 October, 2017, in Hirasar village, near Chotila.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the Civil Aviation Department of the Government of Gujarat for the construction of a new greenfield airport.

As per the report, the state government stated that, "Rajkot is an important economic centre for Gujarat and India owing to its small scale and heavy industries. The city is playing an important role in complex supply chains, which is expected to grow. Air connectivity to the international market will boost industrial growth, generating new employment opportunities."

At a cost of Rs 1,405 crore, the greenfield airport is constructed approximately 30 km from Rajkot, close to NH-27, situated in Hirasar village.

The expansive airport covers an area of 2,534 acre, with the AAI being responsible for constructing the facility over 1,500 acre of this total area.

The airport has been designed with the longest runway in the state, with a length of 3.5 km.

The runway will be capable to serve AirBus-321 type of aircraft and the apron will be suitable for parking 14 aircraft. It also has a 700-m-long water tunnel below the runway — which will be the longest in Asia.

An apron spanning 50,800 sqm has been constructed, providing ample space for aircraft parking and manoeuvring.

Additionally, the passenger terminal, sprawling over an area of 23,000 square meters, is equipped to handle a capacity of 1,280 travellers per hour during peak hours.

The new airport was proposed in the district, as the existing one is small to handle the capacity.

The opening of commercial operations of this greenfield airport is projected to benefit the entire Saurashtra region. This airport is also set to become the largest airport in the state.

At present, there are two greenfield airports — Hirasar and Dholera, along with 10 other airports in the state of Gujarat.  

Also read: From Blueprint To Reality: Mapping India's Aviation Sector Growth With Its Major Upcoming Airports