{
  "id": 12315845,
  "title": "10 new airports coming soon in Madhya Pradesh",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/10-new-airports-coming-soon-in-madhya-pradesh",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-06T05:33:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/10-new-airports-coming-soon-in-madhya-pradesh-plan-includes-helipads-in-all-230-assembly-seats/articleshow/134723945.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Madhya Pradesh is set to undergo a significant aviation expansion, with plans for ten new airports, over 20 airstrips, and more than 220 helipads across the state. This push, as part of the Civil Aviation Policy 2025, aims to improve air travel for passengers, enhance emergency medical response, boost tourism, and open new international flight links.\n\nCurrently, the state has eight operational airports, more than 20 airstrips, and approximately 220 helipads. Two new airports in Ujjain and Shivpuri are under construction, with the completion of both bringing the total count to ten. Five additional airport proposals are pending approval from the central government, with Singrauli prioritized.\n\nCurrently, five airports operate in major cities: Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, and Khajuraho. Rewa, Datia, and Satna joined in 2024-25, increasing the number to eight. The remaining two new airports are anticipated to bring the total to ten in the coming months.\n\nThe new airports will primarily benefit districts such as Singrauli, Sagar, Neemuch, Chhindwara, Mandla, Khandwa, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Umaria, and Shahdol. These upgrades, under the UDAN scheme, are expected to reduce reliance on road and rail links, especially for remote districts with tourism and industrial potential.\n\nThe Datana Matana airport in Ujjain, being developed under the RCS UDAN 5.2 scheme, is set to handle a large influx of visitors during Simhastha 2028. The runway will initially stretch 1,800 meters, with potential expansion to 2,700 meters to accommodate the expected high footfall.\n\nThe state's own aircraft acquisition aims to cut down official travel expenses by about a third, replacing chartered planes used for routine and emergency trips. The PM Shri Air Ambulance Service, launched in 2024, has already transported 186 patients, significantly reducing travel times during medical emergencies.\n\nTourism stands to gain from increased air connectivity. The PM Shri Heli Tourism Service, connecting destinations like Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Chanderi, Orchha, Maihar, Chitrakoot, Kanha, and Bandhavgarh, has already served over 5,200 passengers. The service is particularly popular at Chanderi and Orchha, with more than 680 joy rides conducted.\n\nInternationally, Indore now offers direct flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, marking the first international route from Madhya Pradesh under the new Civil Aviation Policy. This route, spanning around three hours and fifteen minutes, is expected to strengthen business, trade, and tourism ties with the Gulf region.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}