Jabalpur Airport renaming after Rani Durgavati: MP CM vows to push Centre
Synopsis
MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav publicly committed to personally lobbying the Centre to rename Jabalpur's Dumna Airport after Rani Durgavati — but the proposal has already been sitting with Delhi since the state assembly passed it last year. With the BJP in power at both levels and the opposition calling out the gap between announcements and action, the real question is why it hasn't moved yet.
Key Takeaways
MP CM Mohan Yadav pledged on 24 June 2025 to personally pursue the renaming of Dumna Airport, Jabalpur after Rani Durgavati with the Centre.
The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly had already passed a resolution last year forwarding the renaming proposal to the Centre, which has yet to act on it.
PWD Minister Rakesh Singh urged the Chief Minister to ensure the Centre approves the proposal at the earliest to fulfil the demand of the Mahakaushal region.
Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar questioned why the BJP-led state and central governments have not acted despite holding power at both levels.
Rani Durgavati , born in 1524 , was martyred on 24 June 1564 fighting Mughal forces and is revered as a tribal icon across central India.
Dumna Airport is operated by the Airports Authority of India and connects Jabalpur with Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday, 24 June pledged to personally take up with the Centre the long-pending proposal to rename Jabalpur's Dumna Airport after tribal icon and Gondwana queen Rani Durgavati. The announcement came during Balidan Diwas commemorations in Jabalpur, marking the 461st martyrdom anniversary of the warrior queen who fell fighting Mughal forces on 24 June 1564.
What the Chief Minister Announced
Addressing the event, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said, 'I will personally take the proposal to the Central government so that Dumna Airport can be renamed after Rani Durgavati. Our government has consistently worked to honour her legacy, and last year we named a major flyover in Jabalpur after her.'
The commitment signals a fresh push on a proposal that has been in bureaucratic limbo since the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed a resolution last year seeking the renaming and forwarded it to the Centre for approval.
Assembly Resolution and Political Pressure
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rakesh Singh raised the issue directly with the Chief Minister at the event. Singh noted that despite the Assembly resolution being sent to New Delhi, no decision has been taken.
'The Assembly has already passed the proposal and sent it to Delhi. Since no decision has been taken so far, I request the Chief Minister to ensure that the Centre approves it at the earliest so that this long-standing demand of the people of Mahakaushal is fulfilled,' Singh said.
Opposition Questions the Delay
The delay has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar questioned why the proposal had stalled when the BJP holds power both in Madhya Pradesh and at the Centre.
'When the BJP has governments both in Madhya Pradesh and at the Centre, why has the proposal not been implemented yet? The Chief Minister should not stop at making announcements; he should tell people when the airport will actually bear Rani Durgavati's name,' Singhar said.
Notably, the demand has gained traction across party lines, suggesting broad public sentiment in the Mahakaushal region in favour of the renaming.
About Dumna Airport and Its Significance
Dumna Airport, officially designated as Jabalpur Airport, is a key aviation hub serving the Mahakaushal region, located approximately 20 km from Jabalpur city. Operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), it connects Jabalpur with Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. The airport has undergone significant expansion in recent years, including the development of a modern terminal building and enhanced passenger facilities.
Who Was Rani Durgavati
Born in 1524 and married to Gond ruler Dalpat Shah, Rani Durgavati ruled the Gondwana kingdom with distinction, earning a reputation for administrative acumen and military courage. She laid down her life on 24 June 1564 while resisting the Mughal forces led by Asaf Khan. Revered across central India, she remains an enduring symbol of tribal pride, valour, and self-respect — particularly in the Mahakaushal belt of Madhya Pradesh.
The renaming proposal is widely viewed as a symbolic recognition of her contributions to tribal history and her resistance against invading forces. Whether the Centre acts on it now that the Chief Minister has made a public commitment will be closely watched.
Point of View
The party controls the Centre, and yet the proposal has gathered dust. Chief Minister Yadav's public pledge to 'personally' take it up reads less like a policy announcement and more like an admission that internal coordination has failed. The opposition's point — that dual BJP control should have made this straightforward — is difficult to rebut. Airport renamings in India are ultimately a Union government prerogative, and the Centre's silence on this one, despite a formal state assembly resolution, raises questions about prioritisation. Rani Durgavati's legacy commands genuine reverence in the Mahakaushal belt; the delay risks turning a unifying cultural gesture into a political liability.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jabalpur Airport renaming proposal?
The proposal seeks to rename Dumna Airport in Jabalpur — officially known as Jabalpur Airport — after Gondwana queen and tribal icon Rani Durgavati. The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to this effect last year and forwarded it to the Centre for approval, which is still pending.
Why has the Dumna Airport renaming been delayed?
Despite the Madhya Pradesh assembly passing a resolution and sending it to the Centre, the Union government has not yet acted on the proposal. The delay is notable given that the BJP holds power both in Madhya Pradesh and at the Centre, prompting criticism from the opposition.
Who was Rani Durgavati and why is she significant?
Rani Durgavati was a Gondwana queen born in 1524 who ruled with administrative skill and military prowess. She was martyred on 24 June 1564 while resisting Mughal forces led by Asaf Khan, and is revered as a symbol of tribal pride and valour across central India, especially in the Mahakaushal region of Madhya Pradesh.
What did MP CM Mohan Yadav announce on Balidan Diwas 2025?
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that he would personally take the airport renaming proposal to the Central government to expedite approval. He also noted that his government had previously named a major flyover in Jabalpur after Rani Durgavati.
Who raised concerns about the delay in the renaming?
Both BJP's own PWD Minister Rakesh Singh and Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar raised concerns. Singh urged the Chief Minister to push the Centre for early approval, while Singhar questioned why the BJP-led governments at the state and Centre had not implemented the proposal despite dual control.
