Hyderabad: In a bid to enhance aviation safety and promote smarter urban planning, a civic organisation from Secunderabad has urged aviation authorities to relocate Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport to Dundigal. The appeal comes amid concerns over safety risks, inefficient land use, and growing urban congestion around the airport’s current site.
The Cantonment Vikas Manch, a non-governmental organisation based in the Secunderabad Cantonment area, submitted its proposal to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following a recent notification issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The June 18 gazette called for public suggestions on proposed amendments under the Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions Caused by Buildings and Trees etc.) Rules, 2025.
Begumpet Airport now viewed as ill-suited site for flight operations
In its submission, the group flagged multiple issues arising from the airport’s central location within Hyderabad. Surrounded by dense residential and commercial development, Begumpet Airport, once the city’s primary aviation hub, is now viewed as an ill-suited site for flight operations in a modern, urban setting.
Highlighting the potential hazards of maintaining aviation infrastructure in congested zones, the organisation pointed to past air disasters, such as the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad, to emphasise the importance of strategic foresight in aviation infrastructure planning. The group argued that densely populated areas demand a more cautious and long-term approach to aviation safety, beyond standard operational checks.
Though no longer used for commercial passenger flights, Begumpet Airport continues to handle VIP movements and Indian Air Force operations. The NGO contends that such limited use does not justify occupying prime urban land, particularly when alternative sites like Dundigal offer more space and fewer physical obstructions for future aviation needs.
‘Vacating Begumpet could unlock valuable land for public initiatives in Hyderabad’
Beyond safety and operational concerns, the group linked the proposed relocation to broader urban development goals. They suggested that vacating Begumpet could unlock valuable land for public initiatives, such as affordable housing projects led by the Telangana government, helping to alleviate the city’s housing shortages and reduce traffic congestion in the surrounding areas.