Navi Mumbai International Airport to Be Named After Loknete DB Patil | Full Details

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday (October 3) that the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) will officially be named Loknete DB Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport. The decision fulfills a decades-long demand by the people of Navi Mumbai and surrounding regions, who have long sought recognition for Loknete Dinkar Balu Patil, a leader remembered for his relentless fight for farmers’ rights and equitable urban development.

Fadnavis called the announcement a “moment of justice”, underlining that the renaming pays tribute to both the public sentiment and the enduring legacy of Patil. The declaration was made following a high-level meeting at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, attended by several senior ministers and regional leaders.

Approval Process and Centre’s Role

The proposal to name the airport after Loknete DB Patil has already been passed by the Maharashtra State Cabinet and endorsed by both Houses of the State Legislature. Recently, the proposal was also forwarded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reportedly gave a positive nod.

However, the Central Government is currently framing a broader policy for naming national infrastructure projects, including airports. According to Fadnavis, once the guidelines are finalised, the state-approved proposal will be officially cleared at the national level, making the name permanent.

Honoring a Leader’s Legacy

Loknete DB Patil is revered as one of the most important grassroots leaders in Navi Mumbai’s history. Known for his farmer-centric policies and activism, Patil played a vital role in shaping the urban fabric of Navi Mumbai and surrounding Konkan regions. Many locals consider him the “architect of justice” for displaced farmers who lost land during large-scale infrastructure projects.

The renaming is being celebrated as a symbolic recognition of Patil’s contribution to regional growth, ensuring his legacy is remembered by future generations.

Withdrawal of Protest-Related Cases

In addition to the airport renaming, Fadnavis also announced that all pending police cases registered during the protests demanding the airport be named after Loknete DB Patil would be withdrawn. He emphasised that the decision ensures that local youth are not denied jobs or opportunities due to past protest records.

Cases registered during the COVID-19 lockdown period connected with the demonstrations will also be legally withdrawn, providing closure to those affected families.

Other Airport Renaming Plans

The government also confirmed that two other major airports in Maharashtra will soon be renamed:

• Pune Airport → To be named after Jagadguru Sant Tukaram
• Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport → To be named after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

Official clearances for these renamings are expected shortly.

Regional Leaders Welcome Move

The decision to rename NMIA was welcomed by several senior leaders present at the meeting, including Minister Ganesh Naik, MLAs Ravindra Chavan, Mandatai Mhatre, Mahesh Baldi, Prashant Thakur, and Vikrant Patil.

Local activists and community leaders expressed satisfaction, stating that the announcement reflects not just political will but also respect for public emotion. Many hailed it as a historic acknowledgment of Navi Mumbai’s socio-political identity.

✅ This refined version provides:

• Better structure (subheadings + flow).
• Added historical context about DB Patil.
• More details on impact (withdrawal of cases + regional reaction).
• A broader scope with links to other renaming developments.