Gujarat govt signed MoU in 2023 to build 11 greenfield airports, work began on only 2

Gujarat government’s long-standing promise of 11 greenfield airports in 2023 seems to be a far cry from the ground reality as work has only begun at two locations.

In December 2023, the Gujarat government signed an MoU with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for construction of 11 new greenfield airports in the state and expansion of three existing airports. However, the government informed the assembly that of the 11 proposed airports, work has begun only on those at Dwarka and Dahod.

The government had initially shortlisted Morbi, Dahod, Rajpipla, Dholavira, Dwarka, Palitana, Botad, Rajula, Ankleshwar, Ambaji, and Dholavira as potential sites for the new airports. 

During the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, the government stated that development work has been initiated at Dwarka and Dahod, with land selection, pre-feasibility studies, and obstacle limitation surface surveys completed. Land acquisition processes are currently underway.

The government also informed the assembly that expansion work is in progress at Porbandar, Keshod, and Bhavnagar airports. Land acquisition for Porbandar and Bhavnagar is ongoing, while the required additional land for Keshod airport has already been acquired.

Regarding expansion of airstrips, the Civil Aviation Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha that of Gujarat’s six airports and three airstrips, a pre-feasibility study was conducted for Amreli airstrip, but it was found unfeasible. No proposals were submitted for Mehsana and Mandvi airstrips.

In July 2025, the Ministry of Civil Aviation had clarified that AAI had received requests for pre-feasibility studies for only 8 of the proposed sites. The MoU signed in December 2023 covered 11 new greenfield airports and the expansion of three existing ones.

The pre-feasibility studies found airports at Morbi, Dholavira, Rajpipla, Dahod, and Dwarka to be feasible. Sites at Palitana, Botad, and Rajula were unfeasible. Meanwhile, AAI received no pre-feasibility study requests from the state government for Ambaji, Ankleshwar, and Dholavira.