Maharashtra’s Forest Minister Ganesh Naik confirmed that the Navi Mumbai International Airport will be named after D. B. Patil on Monday, February 3. The decision comes after years of protests by project-affected persons (PAPs). The airport is expected to open on April 17, 2025, with commercial operations beginning in May.
Naik made the announcement during a public meeting in Vashi. Atul Patil, the son of D B Patil, requested that the airport be named in his father’s honour. In response, Naik assured that the airport would officially carry D. B. Patil’s name once it starts commercial operations. Later, a press release confirmed his statement.
नागरिकांच्या समस्या जाणुन घेण्यासाठी आज विष्णुदास भावे नाट्यगृह येथे "जनता दरबार" च्या माध्यमातुन नागरिकांच्या भेटी गाठी घेऊन त्यांचा समस्या जाणुन घेत आहे. जनता दरबार हा जनतेचा दरबार असुन जनतेच्या समस्या मांडण्यासाठी हे हक्काचे व्यासपीठ आहे. pic.twitter.com/qVRFosB9oP
— Ganesh Naik (@NaikSpeaks) February 3, 2025
The issue of land regularisation and freehold status for LIG and MIG lands was also discussed. Naik stated that he would take these concerns to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. PAPs have been demanding uniform pricing and more land rights for years.
Construction of the Navi Mumbai International Airport began in February 2018. In June 2022, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government decided to name it after D. B. Patil. The proposal was approved on the last day of the administration.
The Mahayuti government, led by Eknath Shinde, later passed a resolution supporting the same decision. The resolution went through both houses of the state legislature and was sent to the central government. However, the action committee received no response and approached the Centre directly.
प्रकल्पग्रस्तांचे नेते स्व. दि. बा. पाटील यांचे सुपुत्र श्री. अतुल जी पाटील यांनी आज जनता दरबार च्या माध्यमातून माझी भेट घेतली. त्यांच्या समस्या एकूण घेतल्या. यावेळी मी त्यांना असे आश्वासन दिले की, नवी मुंबई आंतराष्ट्रीय विमानतळावरून जेव्हा व्यापारीकरण सेवा सूरू होईल तेव्हा… pic.twitter.com/IFArfMRXNX
— Ganesh Naik (@NaikSpeaks) February 3, 2025
The MVA government had earlier suggested naming the airport after Bal Thackeray, the founder of Shiv Sena. But strong opposition from PAPs and the Agri-Koli community led to the final decision in favour of D B Patil. Protests regarding the name have continued for years.
D. B. Patil is a former MP and activist who led several protests when the Maharashtra government acquired land in Navi Mumbai during the 1970s and 1980s. Farmers and landowners resisted the project under his leadership. In recent years, large demonstrations have been held in support of naming the airport after him.