Pune, 23 Sep: In a significant decision, the Maharashtra government has approved a proposal to rename Pune International Airport as ‘Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport’. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting on Monday, and the proposal will now be sent to the central government for final approval.

Why Sant Tukaram Maharaj?

Announcing the decision, Murli Mohole, Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, highlighted the deep connection between Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Lohegaon, where the airport is located. He explained that the revered saint was born and raised in Lohegaon, making it a fitting tribute to rename the airport in his honor.

In a social media post, Mohole mentioned, “We proposed this name change to the state government, reflecting the sentiments of the local villagers and the entire Warkari community of Maharashtra.” He further emphasized that Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s contributions to spreading spiritual wisdom through the Warkari sect have left a lasting impact on society, making his name deeply relevant to modern times.

Proposal to be Sent to the Central Government

With the state government’s approval in place, the next step involves sending the proposal to the central government for final review. Mohole expressed confidence that the process would be completed swiftly. He stated, “Given the technical procedures involved in a name change, we expect the central government to seriously consider this proposal and finalize the decision soon.”

The renaming decision was discussed in a meeting attended by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. While the state government has given the green light, the final nod will come from the central government, which is expected in the coming days