Ultimatum in Maharashtra: Name Navi Mumbai Airport After DB Patil by December 31 or Stop All Flights, Warns Protest Group
Protesters in Maharashtra have issued a stern ultimatum demanding the Navi Mumbai International Airport be named after late leader DB Patil by December 31. They warned that if the demand is not met, no flights will be allowed to take off, escalating tensions ahead of the airport’s scheduled inauguration
While the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 8, locals were left wondering why the name Loknete DB Patil was missing from the plaque. The all-party action committee, which had earlier led major protests demanding that the airport be named after the late politician and social activist, has decided not to hold any agitation — at least till December.
Mahendra Gharat, member of the Loknete DB Patil International Airport Naming All-Party Action Committee, in an exclusive conversation with mid-day revealed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has personally assured them that the name “Loknete DB Patil International Airport” had been agreed upon in principle.
“We met Fadnavis on October 3. He told us that the Prime Minister was positive about naming the airport after Loknete DB Patil. But there’s a procedure; a form will be sent to the state by the Centre, and it has to be filled out and sent back. Then, finally, it will be approved. It may take two months,” Gharat said.
“We’ll wait till December-end. If there’s no written confirmation or the name doesn’t appear on tickets and flight announcements, then no flight will be allowed to take off,” Gharat warned. Gharat added that similar naming proposals for other airports, including those in Pune (after Jagadguru Sant Tukaram) and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, have already moved ahead, and Navi Mumbai should be no different.
Tensions are escalating in Maharashtra as protesters have issued a firm ultimatum to the state government, demanding that the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) be named after late local leader DB Patil by December 31, 2025. The protestors have warned that if the government fails to meet their demand, they will ensure that no flights take off from the airport, which is nearing completion and slated for inauguration early next year.
DB Patil, or Dinkar Balu Patil, was a revered farmer leader and social activist from the Konkan region. He played a key role in the land rights movement during the 1970s and 1980s, advocating for fair compensation and rehabilitation of farmers whose land was acquired for development projects. For residents of Navi Mumbai and surrounding Raigad districts, DB Patil symbolizes the struggle of the displaced — especially those who gave up land for the construction of CIDCO’s urban expansion projects and, more recently, for the new international airport.
The demand to name the Navi Mumbai Airport after DB Patil has been a long-standing one among local groups and political outfits who consider him a “people’s hero.”
During a massive rally in Uran, representatives of farmers’ unions, local leaders, and Patil’s supporters declared December 31 as the deadline for the government to officially rename the project as “DB Patil Navi
“If the state fails to take action by year-end, we will not allow any aircraft to take off. We will stop the project’s operations entirely,” said Anand Patil, a protest leader addressing the crowd. “The airport stands on land taken from our ancestors. It is only right that it bears the name of the man who fought for our rights.”
The statement comes as construction work at the airport enters its final phase, with trial operations expected to begin by March 2026.
The Maharashtra government has so far maintained a cautious stance. Officials have stated that discussions are ongoing regarding the naming decision, but no final announcement has been made. The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), which is developing the airport, has previously stated that the naming process involves multiple administrative approvals, including from the Union Civil Aviation Ministry.
A senior government official said, “We understand the sentiments of the people. The state is in touch with all stakeholders to arrive at a peaceful and respectful solution.”
However, sources indicate that political differences between the Eknath Shinde-led government and the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena may be delaying the final decision. Both groups have sought to claim credit for supporting the demand, turning it into a symbolic political flashpoint in the region.
Following the protest announcement, Raigad police and Navi Mumbai authorities have been put on alert. Security has been tightened around airport construction sites, key roads, and public buildings. Officials are closely monitoring developments to prevent large-scale mobilizations that could disrupt public order or delay construction timelines.
“We respect the right to protest peacefully,” said Raigad Superintendent of Police. “However, any attempt to disrupt infrastructure work or threaten flight operations will be dealt with firmly under the law.”
olitical reactions have been mixed. While leaders from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and some local Shiv Sena factions have backed the demand, others have criticized the ultimatum as an attempt to politicize a public infrastructure project.
Citizens in Navi Mumbai appear divided — some express support for honoring DB Patil’s legacy, while others worry that further controversy could delay the airport’s inauguration, which has already faced multiple postponements due to land acquisition issues, funding delays, and environmental clearances.
“I respect DB Patil’s contribution, but holding the airport hostage over a name could hurt the city’s progress,” said Ramesh More, a resident of Panvel.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport, being developed by Adani Airports Holdings Limited (AAHL) in partnership with CIDCO, is one of India’s most ambitious aviation infrastructure projects. Once operational, it will serve as a second international gateway for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), easing congestion at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
The airport will initially handle 20 million passengers annually, with plans to expand capacity to 90 million passengers per year by 2040. The total project cost is estimated at ₹16,700 crore, making it one of the largest greenfield airports in the country.
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