CM Revanth Reddy Seeks International-Standard Airports at Warangal, Adilabad
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, 14 July 2026: The Chief Minister's Office of Telangana announced that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy met Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu at the Ministry of Civil Aviation office in New Delhi on Tuesday, urging that the proposed airports at Warangal (Mamnoor) and Adilabad be built to international standards.
Context
During his Delhi visit, CM Revanth Reddy held a focused meeting with the Union Civil Aviation Minister to push for accelerated development of two greenfield airports in northern Telangana. The Chief Minister stated that development has no connection to politics and that politics should be confined to election time — 'అభివృద్ధికి రాజకీయాలతో సంబంధం లేదు' ('development is not linked to politics') — adding that his government engages with central ministers whenever problems arise and resolves information gaps through mutual dialogue.
The meeting was attended by Nalgonda MP Raghuveer Reddy, R&B Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj, Government Advisor and Ex-Officio Special Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao, and senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Policy Backdrop
The Warangal (Mamnoor) Airport is envisioned as the aviation hub for the combined districts of Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda in northern Telangana. The city's connectivity via rail and road networks, along with its proximity to the Kakatiya Mega Textile Park, the Kazipet Coach Factory, and other industries, was cited by the Chief Minister as making Warangal a strategic industrial node.
CM Revanth Reddy requested that the Warangal Airport be equipped with MRO (Maintenance, Repairs and Overhauling) facilities, air cargo infrastructure, and hangar capacity. He urged that tenders be floated and construction commenced immediately, noting that land acquisition has already been completed. He requested that airport works be finished and ready for inauguration by 2 June 2028. The airport's design, he said, should reflect the Kakatiya heritage and culture of Warangal — a proposal to which Minister Ram Mohan Naidu expressed agreement.
For Adilabad, the Chief Minister requested a dual-use airport — a civil terminal alongside a defence ministry-operated facility — with the same suite of MRO, air cargo, and hangar services as Warangal. He assured that the state government would acquire and hand over the required land for both airports. Flight Training Organisations (FTOs) were also requested at both locations.
India's Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN), launched in 2016, has sought to connect underserved airports and promote balanced regional growth. Central-state coordination on upgrading tier-2 airports to international standards is part of a broader national push for regional aviation infrastructure, with several states pursuing MRO, cargo, and training facilities alongside passenger terminals.
Stakeholders and Impact
Residents and industries across five northern Telangana districts stand to benefit from improved air connectivity. The textile and manufacturing sectors clustered around Warangal — anchored by the Kakatiya Mega Textile Park — are expected to gain from air cargo links, while the Kazipet Coach Factory adds to the region's industrial weight. MRO facilities at both airports could generate skilled employment in aviation maintenance.
In a notable exchange, Ram Mohan Naidu commended the Telangana government for completing land acquisition for the Warangal airport faster than any other state in the country, calling it 'historic', and thanked the Chief Minister for the swift response. He confirmed that the airport design would reflect Warangal's culture.
On a separate proposal by CM Revanth Reddy to explore seaplane services between Hussain Sagar and Prakasam Barrage, Minister Ram Mohan Naidu asked the state to submit the necessary proposals for consideration.
What's Next
The immediate next steps hinge on the Airports Authority of India floating tenders for the Warangal (Mamnoor) Airport, with the state pressing for a target completion date of 2 June 2028. For Adilabad, coordination between the civil aviation and defence ministries will be needed to finalise the dual-use framework. The state's offer to handle land acquisition for both sites removes one of the most common bottlenecks in greenfield airport projects. Inclusion of both airports under future UDAN or civil aviation ministry expansion plans remains a key variable to watch.