Pune, 11th June 2026: Long-pending defence-related issues, including the merger of cantonment boards, expansion of Pune Airport, and the Indiranagar land dispute, are expected to move forward after a meeting between Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.
During the meeting at the Defence Ministry, Mohol raised the issue of acquiring 35 acres of defence land required for the expansion of Pune Airport at Lohegaon. The Maharashtra government has already expressed its willingness to provide 65 acres of land to the Indian Air Force in exchange.
Mohol requested the Defence Ministry to grant approval at the earliest so that the expansion work can begin without delay. Singh reportedly assured a positive consideration of the proposal.
The two leaders also discussed the proposed merger of the Pune and Khadki Cantonment Boards with the Pune Municipal Corporation. Mohol urged the Centre to expedite action on the proposal submitted by the Maharashtra government in April 2024.
Another key issue taken up during the meeting was the long-standing uncertainty faced by nearly 6,000 residents of the Indiranagar-Burma Shell colony in Lohegaon. Discussions focused on resolving the matter through coordination among the concerned authorities.
Following the meeting, Rajnath Singh directed officials to take prompt action on all the issues discussed.
“The meeting was productive and focused on resolving several defence-related issues linked to Pune’s development. I am confident that decisions on the airport expansion, cantonment board merger and other pending matters will be taken soon through coordinated efforts,” Mohol said.
