Defence Minister gives green signal for civilian operations at IAF airfield in Adilabad

HYDERABAD: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will use the Adilabad airstrip for training purposes, according to defence minister Rajnath Singh. The Centre had recently allowed dual-use of the airport, meaning that it could operate military and civilian aircraft.

Adilabad would join other nearby IAF training facilities in Hakimpet, Dundigal and Bidar, as well as the Air Force Station at the Begumpet airport.

Telangana BJP chief and Union minister G. Kishan Reddy on Saturday released a letter written to him by defence minister Rajnath Singh regarding the Adilabad facility.

“It has been informed that the Indian Air Force airfield in Adilabad is envisaged to be developed by the Indian Air Force as a training establishment in future. Ministry of Defence is ready for developing the existing airfield as a Joint User Airfied,” Rajnath Singh wrote in the letter to Kishan Reddy.

Joint-user airfields like the one at Adilabad typically include shared infrastructure, including runways, taxiways, control towers, and other facilities that are utilised by both military and civilian aircraft. Civilian operators will have their own passenger terminals and taxiways separate, from military facilities, to ensure smooth operations.

In a statement here on Saturday, Kishan Reddy said that he had brought the requests of the locals to Singh’s notice several times. After holding internal discussions, Singh gave the green signal, Reddy said.

Pointing out that Adilabad was a major centre for cotton and other agricultural products, Reddy said that the BRS government had not responded to letters from the then civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia when he sought cooperation to launch civilian air services. “Keeping in mind the public’s aspirations and numerous requests, I kept persuading the issue with Singh and the civil aviation minister,” Reddy said.

He pointed out that the Warangal airport had recently received necessary approvals. If the state government completed the land acquisition quickly, construction of other infrastructure facilities can also be expedited, Reddy said

Under the regional connectivity– UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) — scheme, out of 620 routes, 60 are connected to Hyderabad. Once air services begin at Warangal and Adilabad, Telangana will benefit from more routes, enhancing not just passenger convenience but also boosting trade and commercial activities in these regions, he said.

“With better air connectivity, agricultural products can reach national and international markets more efficiently. Further, the IAF training centre at Adilabad will also provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to the local community,” Kishan Reddy said.