After Jabalpur Airport, MP High Court To Now Hear Plea For Enhancement Of Flights From Gwalior Airport; Seeks Centre's Response

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday (November 11) sought response from the Union Government in a public interest litigation filed by the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Association of India, seeking direction to commence regular flights from Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Airport, Gwalior. 

The PIL, filed through the President of the Confederation, highlighted the lack of consistent air connectivity from Gwalior despite the existence of a modern, fully functional airport. The President, in the plea, claimed that he frequently travels by air but finds Gwalior remains poorly connected to major cities, even though the airport boasts world-class infrastructure.  

According to the petition, the Airport was constructed at an estimated cost of ₹500 crores, featuring eco-sustainable and energy-efficient designs, including zinc-based roofing, solar systems and rainwater harvesting facilities. Despite this, the airport remains grossly underutilised due to the limited number of operational flights. 

The counsel for the petitioner submitted that the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, introduced by the Central Government in 2016, was intended to provide affordable regional air connectivity to the common man. Under this policy, new airports were established even in smaller and remote areas to strengthen intra-state and inter-state connectivity. 

It was further contended that the MP Civil Aviation Policy, 2025, also mandates the development of air facilities such as helipads, heliports and allied infrastructure to promote regional air traffic. However, despite these initiatives, Gwalior continues to lag behind in air connectivity. 

The petitioner argued that the issue was not due to shortage of passengers but rather a lack of administrative will and policy coordination, as only three flights currently operate from this airport. 

Considering the submissions, the division bench of Justice Anand Pathak and Justice Anil Verma directed; 

"Considering the submissions, let counsel for Union of India Shri Praveen Kumar Newaskar (Sy. Solicitor General) and Shri Vivek Khedkar and Shri Ankur Mody (Additional Advocate Generals) seek instructions regarding implementation of their respective policies and steps likely to be taken in this regard. Instructions be furnished within three weeks and thereafter, matter shall be heard on admission. List after three weeks in the month of December, 2025". 

A public interest litigation seeking similar reliefs is pending before the Jabalpur bench to increase air connectivity of Jabalpur airport to major cities. The division bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf, in this plea filed by Nagrik Upbhokta Margdarshak Manch, highlighted that despite spending nearly ₹500 crores on upgrading the Jabalpur airport, many flights from the city have been discontinued. 

Case Title: Sudarshan Jhavar v Union [WP-42992-2025]

For Petitioner: Advocate Siddharth Sijoria and Madhur Bhargava

For Union: Deputy Solicitor General Praveen Newaskar 

For State: Additional Advocate General Vivek Khedkar with Government Advocate Ravindra Dixit and Additional Advocate General Ankur Mody

Click here to read/download the Order