Pune: In a landmark move, the Maharashtra government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has approved the renaming of Pune’s Lohegaon Airport.
The airport will soon be officially known as "Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj International Airport, Pune," honoring the legacy of the revered 17th-century Marathi saint who holds a special place in the hearts of the Warkari community.
This decision was made during a crucial cabinet meeting held on today (September 23), just ahead of the Election Commission’s visit to Maharashtra.
The Mahayuti government has presented this as a significant gesture toward the Warkari community, whose cultural and religious influence remains prominent in the state.
For months, efforts were underway to rename the airport, with various factions within the Warkari sect pushing for the change. Today’s approval marks the culmination of those efforts.
Sant Tukaram Maharaj, a major figure in the Bhakti movement, was born and raised in Lohegaon, where the current Pune International Airport is located. His teachings and devotional songs continue to inspire generations, especially within the Warkari sect.
It is this profound connection between the saint and the region that led to the proposal to rename the airport in his honor.
The renaming proposal, initially suggested by Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol, had gained momentum after Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, announced his commitment to send it for approval during a foundation-laying event.
The General Administration Department had already greenlit the idea, and now, following cabinet approval, the proposal will be sent to the central government for final approval by the Union Cabinet.
The renaming comes at a time when political strategists are interpreting the move as a potential vote-winning strategy for the Shinde government.
Political experts have dubbed this move a "masterstroke" ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, viewing it as a calculated step to consolidate support from the influential Warkari community.
The renaming could have further national political implications. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously participated in Warkari events, highlighting the community’s importance at both the state and national levels.
Now that the state has approved the renaming, the proposal will be forwarded to the central government, with an official announcement from the Union Cabinet expected soon.