Hyderabad: The Indian Air Force has cleared the proposal to set up an airport in Adilabad, issuing a formal go-ahead to the Telangana government. The airfield will be developed as a dual-use facility operated jointly by the IAF and the state.
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) had earlier ruled out airports at Ramagundam and Kothagudem, citing unsuitable terrain. Steep hills and elevated topography in both locations would make flight operations unsafe, according to AAI’s assessment.
In Adilabad, the first phase will involve the acquisition of 900 acres, with plans to acquire an additional 600 acres later. The facility is expected to support cargo handling, future runway extension, hotel construction, and a small hospital for emergency passenger services.
Currently, Hyderabad’s Shamshabad hosts Telangana’s only operational airport. The state had earlier secured a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from GMR Group for the Warangal airport. Following this, AAI agreed to fund and activate the facility.
To support expansion in Warangal, the Telangana government has approved an additional ₹140 crore. The funds will cover land acquisition and road development in the surrounding villages. A previous estimate pegged land costs at ₹205 crore, but rising land prices and farmers’ compensation demands have pushed the requirement higher by ₹90 crore. An additional ₹50 crore is expected for connecting infrastructure.
AAI, the IAF, and officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation recently held discussions on the Adilabad project. The Centre has also signalled its consent for the development.
