Centre Approves Revival of Mamnoor Airport in Warangal
The Central Government has approved the revival of Mamnoor Airport, giving a major boost to Warangal. The airport, built in 1930 during the Nizam era, has remained inactive for decades despite discussions about its revival.
Warangal once had air connectivity with Hyderabad through 20-seater Vayudoot aircraft, but flights stopped more than 30 years ago. Since then, residents have been eagerly waiting for air services to resume.
The revival of this airstrip is expected to benefit Greater Warangal, especially due to the region’s rich tourism potential. Warangal is home to several tourist attractions, including the UNESCO-listed Ramappa Temple, 1,000 Pillars Temple, Warangal Fort, Bhadrakali Temple, and the Medaram Sammakka Saralamma carnival. Scenic spots like Laknavaram and Bogatha Waterfalls also attract visitors. Improved air connectivity could bring more tourists, including international travelers.
Apart from tourism, Warangal is also an educational hub with institutions like NIT Warangal, Kakatiya University, KNR University of Health Sciences, and several engineering and medical colleges. The city is also making progress in the IT industry.
The upcoming Kakatiya Mega Textile Park (KMTP), known as the largest ‘fibre-to-fabric’ facility, and the proposed rail coach factory are expected to increase air traffic demand.
The Centre’s approval follows the waiver of the Exclusivity Clause – 5.2.2 by the GMR Group. Previously, this clause prevented the development of a domestic airport within 150 km of Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) before 2029.
Meanwhile, the Warangal district administration is working to acquire 253 acres of land in Nakkalapally, Gunturpally, and Gunturpally villages. The current airstrip already covers 696 acres. The Telangana Government has sanctioned Rs 205 crore for land acquisition, showing its commitment to reviving the airport.
On Saturday, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy reviewed the land acquisition process for the airport expansion. He instructed officials to provide him with monthly progress reports and emphasized that the airport should become a valuable asset for Warangal. He also stated that the airport should be developed on the lines of Kochi’s airport. Ministers Konda Surekha, Seethakka, and other legislators from the region attended the review meeting.
