In a significant move, the Maharashtra government has approved the renaming of Pune’s Lohegaon International Airport to Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj International Airport. The state cabinet made this decision during a meeting held on Monday and will now forward it to the central government for final approval.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol , who hails from Pune proposed this renaming . Mohol expressed his gratitude to the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
“Thank you, Mahayuti government! Thank you, Devendraji! The first step towards naming the international airport in Pune as ‘Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport’ has been taken today and the proposal given by me has been approved at a cabinet meeting. We will send it to the central government for further processing,” Mohol posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Sant Tukaram Maharaj, a revered 17th-century saint and spiritual poet of the Bhakti movement, was born in the Pune district. The renaming aims to honor his legacy and contributions to Indian spirituality and culture.
The renaming process involves several steps, including approval from the state assembly and the Union cabinet before it is officially notified in the Gazette of India. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has assured his support for the renaming and will seek Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approval for the same4.
This renaming is a tribute to the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra and a step towards preserving the memory of one of its most venerated saints.
