Supreme Court Allows GMR to Modernize Nagpur Airport

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a curative petition by the Centre and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), thereby allowing GMR Airports Ltd. to proceed with the long-awaited modernization of Nagpur's Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. The decision, made by a four-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, emphasizes that the curative petition did not meet the necessary legal thresholds established in previous rulings. This ruling clears the way for significant upgrades, including new runway construction and enhanced cargo facilities, positioning Nagpur as a key logistics hub for both domestic and international travel. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed optimism that this development will drive the growth of the Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport (MIHAN) project. The Supreme Court's ruling follows prior dismissals of review petitions and reinforces the principles of fairness in government contracting. The outcome marks the end of a prolonged legal dispute and enables GMR Airports to start its modernization efforts.